快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！

atch。
Now　Zhao　Yun；　after　fighting　with　the　enemy　from　the　fourth　watch　till　daylight；　could　see　no　sign　of　his　lord　and；　moreover；　had　lost　his　lord's　family。
He　thought　bitterly　within　himself；　〃My　master　confided　to　me　his　family　and　the　child　lord　Liu　Shan；　and　I　have　lost　them。　How　can　I　look　him　in　the　face？　I　can　only　go　now　and　fight　to　the　death。　Whatever　happen；　I　must　go　to　seek　the　women　and　my　lord's　son。〃
Turning　about　he　found　he　had　but　some　forty　followers　left。　He　rode　quickly　to　and　fro　among　the　scattered　soldiers　seeking　the　lost　women。　The　lamentations　of　the　people　about　him　were　enough　to　make　heaven　and　earth　weep。　Some　had　been　wounded　by　arrows；　others　by　spears；　they　had　thrown　away　their　children；　abandoned　their　wives；　and　were　flying　they　knew　not　whither　in　crowds。
Presently　Zhao　Yun　saw　a　man　lying　in　the　grass　and　recognized　him　as　Jian　Yong。
〃Have　you　seen　the　two　mothers？〃　cried　he。
Jian　Yong　replied；　〃They　left　their　carriage　and　ran　away　taking　the　child　lord　Liu　Shan　in　their　arms。　I　followed　but　on　the　slope　of　the　hill　I　was　wounded　and　fell　from　my　horse。　The　horse　was　stolen。　I　could　fight　no　longer；　and　I　lay　down　here。〃
Zhao　Yun　put　his　colleague　on　the　horse　of　one　of　his　followers；　told　off　two　soldiers　to　support　Jian　Yong；　and　bade　Jian　Yong　ride　to　their　lord　and　tell　him　of　the　loss。
〃Say；〃　said　Zhao　Yun；　〃that　I　will　seek　the　lost　ones　in　heaven　or　hell；　through　good　or　evil。　And　if　I　find　them　not；　I　will　die　in　the　battlefield。〃
Then　Zhao　Yun　rode　off　toward　the　Long　Slope　Bridge。
As　he　went；　a　voice　called　out；　〃General　Zhao　Yun；　where　are　you　going？〃
〃Who　are　you？〃　said　Zhao　Yun；　pulling　up。
〃One　of　the　Princely　One's　carriage　guards。　I　am　wounded。〃
〃Do　you　know　anything　of　the　two　ladies？〃
〃Not　very　long　ago　I　saw　Lady　Gan　go　south　with　a　party　of　other　women。　Her　hair　was　down；　and　she　was　barefooted〃
Hearing　this；　without　even　another　glance　at　the　speaker；　Zhao　Yun　put　his　horse　at　full　gallop　toward　the　south。　Soon　he　saw　a　small　crowd　of　people；　male　and　female；　walking　hand　in　hand。
〃Is　Lady　Gan　among　you！〃　he　called　out。
A　woman　in　the　rear　of　the　party　looked　up　at　him　and　uttered　a　loud　cry。
He　slipped　off　his　steed；　stuck　his　spear　in　the　sand；　and　wept；　〃It　was　my　fault　that　you　were　lost。　But　where　are　Lady　Mi　and　our　child　lord？〃
Lady　Gan　replied；　〃She　and　I　were　forced　to　abandon　our　carriage　and　mingle　with　the　crowd　on　foot。　Then　a　band　of　soldiers　came　up；　and　we　were　separated。　I　do　not　know　where　they　are。　I　ran　for　my　life。〃
As　she　spoke；　a　howl　of　distress　rose　from　the　crowd　of　fugitives；　for　a　thousand　of　soldiers　appeared。　Zhao　Yun　recovered　his　spear　and　mounted　ready　for　action。　Presently　he　saw　among　the　soldiers　a　prisoner　bound　upon　a　horse；　and　the　prisoner　was　Mi　Zhu。　Behind　Mi　Zhu　followed　a　general　gripping　a　huge　sword。　The　troops　belonged　to　the　army　of　Cao　Ren；　and　the　general　was　Chunyu　Dao。　Having　captured　Mi　Zhu；　he　was　just　taking　him　to　his　chief　as　a　proof　of　his　prowess。
Zhao　Yun　shouted　and　rode　at　the　captor　who　was　speedily　slain　by　a　spear　thrust　and　his　captive　was　set　free。　Then　taking　two　of　the　horses；　Zhao　Yun　set　Lady　Gan　on　one　and　Mi　Zhu　took　the　other。　They　rode　away　toward　Long　Slope　Bridge。
But　there；　standing　grim　on　the　bridge；　was　Zhang　Fei。
As　soon　as　he　saw　Zhao　Yun；　he　called　out；　〃Zhao　Yun；　why　have　you　betrayed　our　lord？〃
〃I　fell　behind　because　I　was　seeking　the　ladies　and　our　child　lord；〃　said　Zhao　Yun。　〃What　do　you　mean　by　talking　of　betrayal？〃
〃If　it　had　not　been　that　Jian　Yong　arrived　before　you　and　told　me　the　story；　I　should　hardly　have　spared　you。〃
〃Where　is　the　master？〃　said　Zhao　Yun。
〃Not　far　away；　in　front　there；〃　said　Zhang　Fei。
〃Conduct　Lady　Gan　to　him。　I　am　going　to　look　for　Lady　Mi；〃　said　Zhao　Yun　to　his　panion；　and　he　turned　back　along　the　road　by　which　he　had　e。
Before　long　he　met　a　leader　armed　with　an　iron　spear　and　carrying　a　sword　slung　across　his　back；　riding　a　curvetting　steed；　and　leading　ten　other　horsemen。　Without　uttering　a　word　Zhao　Yun　rode　straight　toward　him　and　engaged。　At　the　first　pass　Zhao　Yun　disarmed　his　opponent　and　brought　him　to　earth。　His　followers　galloped　away。
This　fallen　officer　was　no　other　than　Xiahou　En；　Cao　Cao's　sword…bearer。　And　the　sword　on　Xiahou　En's　back　was　his　master's。　Cao　Cao　had　two　swords；　one　called　〃Trust　in　God〃　and　the　other　〃Blue　Blade〃。　Trust　in　God　was　the　weapon　Cao　Cao　usually　wore　at　his　side；　the　other　being　carried　by　his　sword…bearer。　The　Blue　Blade　would　cut　clean　through　iron　as　though　it　were　mud；　and　no　sword　had　so　keen　an　edge。
Before　Zhao　Yun　thus　fell　in　with　Xiahou　En；　the　later　was　simply　plundering；　depending　upon　the　authority　implied　by　his　office。　Least　of　all　thought　he　of　such　sudden　death　as　met　he　at　Zhao　Yun's　hands。
So　Zhao　Yun　got　possession　of　a　famous　sword。　The　name　Blue　Blade　was　chased　in　gold　characters　so　that　he　recognized　its　value　at　once。　He　stuck　it　in　his　belt　and　again　plunged　into　the　press。　Just　as　he　did　so；　he　turned　his　head　and　saw　he　had　not　a　single　follower　left。　He　was　quite　alone。
Nevertheless　not　for　a　single　instant　thought　he　of　turning　back。　He　was　too　intent　upon　his　quest。　To　and　fro；　back　and　forth；　he　rode　questioning　this　person　and　that。
At　length　a　man　said；　〃A　woman　with　a　child　in　her　arms；　and　wounded　in　the　thigh　so　that　she　cannot　walk；　is　lying　over　there　through　that　hole　in　the　wall。〃
Zhao　Yun　rode　to　look　and　there；　beside　an　old　well　behind　the　broken　wall　of　a　burned　house；　sat　the　mother　clasping　the　child　to　her　breast　and　weeping。
Zhao　Yun　was　on　his　knees　before　her　in　a　moment。
〃My　child　will　live　then　since　you　are　here；〃　cried　Lady　Mi。　〃Pity　him；　O　General！　Protect　him；　for　he　is　the　only　son　of　his　father's　flesh　and　blood。　Take　him　to　his　father；　and　I　can　die　content。〃
〃It　is　my　fault　that　you　have　suffered；〃　replied　Zhao　Yun。　〃But　it　is　useless　to　say　more。　I　pray　you　take　my　horse；　while　I　will　walk　beside　and　protect　you　till　we　get　clear。〃
She　replied；　〃I　may　not　do　that。　What　would　you　do　without　a　steed？　But　the　boy　here　I　confide　to　your　care。　I　am　badly　wounded　and　cannot　hope　to　live。　Pray　take　him　and　go　your　way。　Do　not　trouble　more　about　me。〃
〃I　hear　shouting；〃　said　Zhao　Yun。　〃The　soldiers　will　be　upon　us　again　in　a　moment。　Pray　mount　quickly！〃
〃But　really　I　cannot　move；〃　she　said。　〃Do　not　let　there　be　a　double　loss！〃
And　she　held　out　the　child　toward　him　as　she　spoke。
〃Take　the　child！〃　cried　Lady　Mi。　〃His　life　and　safety　are　in　your　hands。〃
Again　and　again　Zhao　Yun　besought　her　to　get　on　his　horse；　but　she　would　not。
The　shouting　drew　nearer　and　nearer；　Zhao　Yun　spoke　harshly；　saying；　〃If　you　will　not　do　what　I　say；　what　will　happen　when　the　soldiers　e　up？〃
She　said　no　more。　Throwing　the　child　on　the　ground；　she　turned　over　and　threw　herself　into　the　old　well。　And　there　she　perished。

The　warrior　relies　upon　the　strength　of　his　charger；
Afoot；　how　could　he　bear　to　safety　his　young　prince？
Brave　mother！　Who　died　to　preserve　the　son　of　her　husband's　line；
Heroine　was　she；　bold　and　decisive！

Seeing　that　Lady　Mi　had　resolved　the　question　by　dying；　there　was　nothing　more　to　be　done。　Zhao　Yun　pushed　over　the　wall　to　fill　the　well；　and　thus　making　a　grave　for　the　lady。　Then　he　loosened　his　armor；　let　down　the　heart…protecting　mirror；　and　placed　the　child　in　his　breast。　This　done　he　slung　his　spear　and　remounted。
Zhao　Yun　had　gone　but　a　short　distance；　when　he　saw　a　horde　of　enemy　led　by　Yan　Ming；　one　of　Cao　Hong's　generals。　This　warrior　used　a　double　edged；　three　pointed　weapon　and　he　offered　battle。　However；　Zhao　Yun　disposed　of　him　after　a　very　few　bouts　and　dispersed　his　troops。
As　the　road　cleared　before　him；　Zhao　Yun　saw　another　detachment　barring　his　way。　At　the　head　of　this　was　a　general　exalted　enough　to　display　a　banner　with　his　name　Zhang　He　of　Hejian　。　Zhao　Yun　never　waited　to　parley　but　attacked。　However；　this　was　a　more　formidable　antagonist；　and　half　a　score　bouts　found　neither　any　nearer　defeat。　But　Zhao　Yun；　with　the　child　in　his　bosom；　could　only　fight　with　the　greatest　caution；　and　so　he　decided　to　flee。
Zhang　He　pursued；　and　as　Zhao　Yun　thought　only　of　thrashing　his　steed　to　get　away；　and　little　of　the　road；　suddenly　he　went　crashing　into　a　pit。　On　came　his　pursuer；　spear　at　poise。　Suddenly　a　brilliant　flash　of　light　seemed　to　shoot　out　of　the　pit；　and　the　fallen　horse　leapt　with　it　into　the　air　and　was　again　on　firm　earth。

A　bright　glory　surrounds　the　child　of　the　imperial　line；　now　in　danger；
The　powerful　charger　forces　his　way　through　the　press　of　battle；
Bearing　to　safety　him　who　was　destined　to　the　throne　two　score　years　and　two；
And　the　general　thus　manifested　his　godlike　courage。

This　apparition　frightened　Zhang　He；　who　abandoned　the　pursuit　forthwith；　and　Zhao　Yun　rode　off。
Presently　he　heard　shouts　behind；　〃Zhao　Yun；　Zhao　Yun；　stop！〃　and　at　the　same　time　he　saw　ahead　of　him　two　generals　who　seemed　disposed　to　dispute　his　way。
Ma　Yan　and　Zhang　Zi　following　and　Jiao　Chu　and　Zhang　Neng　in　front；　his　state　seemed　desperate；　but　Zhao　Yun　quailed　not。
As　the　men　of　Cao　Cao　came　pressing　on；　Zhao　Yun　drew　Cao　Cao's　own　sword　to　beat　them　off。　Nothing　could　resist　the　blue　blade　sword。　Armor；　clothing；　it　went　through　without　effort　and　blood　gushed　forth　in　fountains　wherever　it　struck。　So　the　four　generals　were　soon　beaten　off；　and　Zhao　Yun　was　once　again　free。
Now　Cao　Cao　from　a　hilltop　of　the　Prospect　Mountain　saw　these　deeds　of　derring…do　and　a　general　showing　such　valor　that　none　could　withstand　him；　so　Cao　Cao　asked　of　his　followers　whether　any　knew　the　man。　No　one　recognized　him。
So　Cao　Hong　galloped　down　into　the　plain　and　shouted　out；　〃We　should　hear　the　name　of　the　warrior！〃
〃I　am　Zhao　Yun　of　Changshan！〃　replied　Zhao　Yun。
Cao　Hong　returned　and　told　his　lord；　who　said；　〃A　very　tiger　of　a　leader！　I　must　get　him　alive。〃
Whereupon　he　sent　horsemen　to　all　detachments　with　orders　that　no　arrows　were　to　be　fired　from　an　ambush　at　any　point　Zhao　Yun　should　pass：　He　was　to　be　taken　alive。
And　so　Zhao　Yun　escaped　most　imminent　danger；　and　Liu　Shan's　safety；　bound　up　with　his　savior's；　was　also　secured。　On　this　career　of　slaughter　which　ended　in　safety；　Zhao　Yun；　bearing　in　his　bosom　the　child　lord　Liu　Shan；　cut　down　two　main　banners；　took　three　spears；　and　slew　or　wounded　of　Cao　Cao's　generals　half　a　hundred；　all　men　of　renown。

Blood　dyed　the　fighting　robe　and　crimsoned　his　buff　coat；
None　dared　engage　the　terrible　warrior　at　Dangyang；
In　the　days　of　old　lived　the　brave　Zhao　Yun；
Who　fought　in　the　battlefield　for　his　lord　in　danger。

Having　thus　fought　his　way　out　of　the　press；　Zhao　Yun　lost　no　time　in　getting　away　from　the　battle　field。　His　white　battle　robe　was　soaked　in　blood。
On　his　way；　near　the　rise　of　the　hills；　he　met　with　two　other　bodies　of　troops　under　two　brothers；　Zhong　Jin　and　Zhong　Shen。　One　of　these　was　armed　with　a　massive　ax；　the　other　a　halberd。
As　soon　as　they　saw　Zhao　Yun；　they　knew　him　and　shouted；　〃Quickly　dismount　and　be　bound！〃

He　has　only　escaped　from　the　tiger　cave；
To　risk　the　dragon　pool's　sounding　wave。

How　Zhao　Yun　escaped　will　be　next　related。
　Main　Next　to　Chapter　42　》》

　　　Romance　of　Three　Kingdoms　…　by　Luo　Guanzhong　…　Chapter　42
　Chapter　42
Screaming　Zhang　Fei　Triumphs　At　Long　Slope　Bridge；
Defeated　Liu　Bei　Goes　To　Hanjin。
As　related　in　the　last　chapter　two　generals　appeared　in　front　of　Zhao　Yun；　who　rode　at　them　with　his　spear　ready　for　a　thrust。　Zhong　Jin　was　leading；　flourishing　his　battle…ax。　Zhao　Yun　engaged　and　very　soon　unhorsed　him。　Then　Zhao　Yun　galloped　away。　Zhong　Shen　rode　up　behind　ready　with　his　halberd；　and　his　horse's　nose　got　so　close　to　the　other's　tail　that　Zhao　Yun　could　see　in　his　armor　the　reflection　of　the　play　of　Zhong　Shen's　weapon。　Then　suddenly；　and　without　warning；　Zhao　Yun　wheeled　round　his　horse　so　that　he　faced　his　pursuer；　and　their　two　steeds　struck　breast　to　breast。　With　his　spear　in　his　left　hand；　Zhao　Yun　warded　off　the　halberd　strokes；　and　in　his　right　he　swung　the　blue　blade　sword。　One　slash　and　he　had　cut　through　both　helmet　and　head。　Zhong　Shen　fell　to　the　ground；　a　corpse　with　only　half　a　head　on　his　body。　His　followers　fled；　and　Zhao　Yun　retook　the　road　toward　Long　Slope　Bridge。
Bu