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第66部分(第1页)

ion that made Yangjue Ai and Zuo Botao die rather than separate。 I was in charge of Xiapi; but the place lacked provision and there was no help。 I would have fought to the death; but there was on my shoulders the responsibility for my sisters…in…law。 Wherefore I had to take care of my body lest I betrayed your trust。 And so I made a prisoner of myself; hoping to find a way of release。 I heard of you lately in Runan。 I must; however; bid farewell to Cao Cao and bring the ladies with me when I e。 May I perish; victim to the superhuman powers; if I have harbored any traitorous thought。 Ink and paper are poor substitutes for what I would say; but I look to see you soon。〃

Chen Zhen left with this missive; and Guan Yu went to tell the women。 Then he proceeded to the Prime Ministers palace to say farewell。 But Cao Cao knew what he was ing for; and at the gate Guan Yu found the board intimating that no one could be received。 So he had to return。 However; he bade his own few soldiers prepare to start at any moment。 He also gave orders that everything received from Cao Cao was to be left in the quarters。 Nothing was to be taken。

Next day he again proceeded to the palace to say farewell to his patron; but again found the board hanging there to show there was no admission。 So it was several times; he could never enter。 Then he went to see Zhang Liao; but Zhang Liao was indisposed。

〃This means Cao Cao will not let me go;〃 thought Guan Yu。 〃But I am going; and I shall hesitate no longer。〃

So he wrote this letter:

〃As a young man I entered the service of the Imperial Uncle; and pledged myself to share his fortunes。 Heaven and Earth witnessed this oath。 When I lost the city; I made three requests which you granted。 Now I hear my brother is with Yuan Shao and I; remembering our pledge; cannot but go to him。 Though your bounty is great; I forget not the bond of the past; wherefore I write this letter of farewell trusting that when you have read it; you will be content for me to postpone to another season the proof of my gratitude。〃

Guan Yu sealed and sent it to the palace。 Then he deposited in the treasury of his dwelling all the gold and silver he had received; hung his seal of lordship of Hanshou in the middle of the reception hall and left; taking his sisters…in…law with him in a carriage。 He rode Red Hare and carried the green…dragon saber in his hand。 With a small escort of guards; those formerly under his mand; he left the city by the north gate。

The wardens would have stopped him; but Guan Yu frightened them with a fierce shout。 Having got out; he told the escort to go in front with the carriage while he would remain behind to guard against pursuit。 So they pushed the carriage toward the high road。

In the city; Guan Yus letter reached the Prime Minister while he was consulting about what to do。 He read it and exclaimed; 〃So he has left!〃

Then the warden of the gate came to report that Guan Yu had forced his way out; and was gone with a carriage; a horse; and a score of guards。 Next came the servants from his house to report that he had left; taking nothing of the treasure; nor anyone of the waiting maids。 Everything was left in the house。 Even his seal was there。 His only escort were the few soldiers of his original force。

Suddenly from the assembly of officers rose a voice; saying; 〃With three thousand of mailed horse; I will bring him back alive。〃

Their eyes turned to the speaker; who was General Cai Yang。

On the dragons cave he turns his back;

But numberless wolves infest his track。

What came of this offer to pursue will be seen in the next chapter。

Main Next to Chapter 27 》》

Romance of Three Kingdoms … by Luo Guanzhong … Chapter 27

Chapter 27

The Man of Beautiful Beard Rides On A Solitary Journey;

Guan Yu Slays Six Generals Through Five Passes。

Now of all the officers in Cao Caos army; the two friendly toward Guan Yu were Zhang Liao and Xu Huang。 The others treated Guan Yu with respect; except Cai Yang who was decidedly inimical。 So this Cai Yang was ready to pursue and capture Guan Yu as soon as he heard of his departure。 But Cao Cao accepted Guan Yus going as natural。

〃He does not forget his old leader; and he was perfectly open in all his actions。 He is a gentleman; and you would do well to follow his example;〃 said Cao Cao。

So Cao Cao bade the would…be pursuer be gone and say no more about pursuit。

〃You were exceedingly good to Guan Yu;〃 said Cheng Yu; 〃but he went off very rudely。 He certainly left a screed behind with his reasons; but he affronted you; and that is no light matter。 Now to let him join Yuan Shao is to add wings to a tiger。 You had better catch him and put him to death so as to guard against future evil。〃

Cao Cao replied; 〃But he had my promise; and can I break my word? Each has his master。 Do not pursue。〃

But Cao Cao said to Zhang Liao; 〃He has rejected all I gave him; so bribes were powerless with him in whatever shape。 I have the greatest respect for such as him。 He has not yet gone far; and I will try to strengthen his attachment to me and make one appeal to sentiment。 Ride after him and beg him to stop till I can e up and bid farewell and offer him a sum of money for his expenses and a fighting robe; that he may remember me kindly in after days。〃

So Zhang Liao rode out quite alone。 Cao Cao followed him leisurely with an escort of a score or so。

Now the steed that Guan Yu rode was Red Hare; and it was very fast。 No one could have e up with him but that there was the ladies carriage to escort; and so Red Hare had to be held in and go slow。 Suddenly Guan Yu heard a shout behind him; a voice crying; 〃Go slowly; Guan Yu!〃

He turned and made out the person to be Zhang Liao。 Ordering the pushers of the carriage to press on along the high road; he reined in his steed; held the green…dragon saber ready for a stroke; and waited for Zhang Liao to e up。

〃Of course you have e to take me back; Zhang Liao?〃 said Guan Yu。

〃No; the Prime Minister; seeing that you are going a long journey; wishes to see you on your way and told me to hasten forward and beg you to wait till he can e up。 That is the only thing。〃

〃Seeing that he is ing along with mailed men; I shall fight to the very last;〃 said Guan Yu。

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