〃Do you think I could bear to lose you?〃 said Dong Zhuo。
〃Though you love me yet I must not stay here。 That Lu Bu will try to ruin me if I do。 I fear him。〃
〃We will go to Meiwo tomorrow; you and I; and we will be happy together and have no cares。〃
She dried her tears and thanked him。 Next day Li Ru came again to persuade Dong Zhuo to send the damsel to Lu Bu。
〃This is a propitious day;〃 said Li Ru。
〃He and I standing in the relation of father and son。 I cannot very well do that;〃 said Dong Zhuo。 〃But I will say no more about his fault。 You may tell him so and soothe him as well as you can。〃
〃You are not being beguiled by the woman; are you?〃 said Li Ru。
Dong Zhuo colored; saying; 〃Would you like to give your wife to some body else? Do not talk about this any further。 It would be better not to。〃
Li Ru left the chamber。 When he got outside; he cast his eyes up to heaven; saying; 〃We are dead people; slain by the hand of this girl!〃
When a scholar of history reached this episode he wrote a verse or two:
Just introduce a woman;
Conspiracies succeed;
Of soldiers; or their weapons;
There really is no need。
They fought their bloody battles;
And doughty deeds were done;
But in a garden summer house
The victory was won。
The order was given to journey to Meiwo; and the whole body of officers assembled to add luster to the start。 Diao Chan; from her carriage; saw Lu Bu among the crowd。 She at once dropped her eyes and assumed an appearance of deepest melancholy。 After the cavalcade started and when her carriage had almost disappeared in the distance; the disappointed lover reined in his steed on a mount whence he could watch the dust that rose around it。 Unutterable sadness filled his heart。
Suddenly a voice said; 〃Why do you not acpany the Prime Minister; General; instead of standing here and sighing?〃
It was Wang Yun。
〃I have been confined to the house by illness these few days;〃 continued he; 〃so I have not seen you。 But I had to struggle out today to see the Prime Minister set off。 This meeting is most fortunate。 But why were you sighing?〃
〃Just on account of that daughter of yours;〃 said Lu Bu。
Feigning great astonishment; Wang Yun said; 〃So long a time and yet not given to you!〃
〃The old ruffian has fallen in love with her himself。〃
〃Surely this cannot be true。〃
Lu Bu related the whole story while Wang Yun listened; silent; but stamping on the ground as with irritation and perplexity。
After a long time Wang Yun said; 〃I did not think he was such a beast。〃
Taking Lu Bu by the hand; Wang Yun said; 〃e to my house; and we will talk it over。〃
So they went away together to the house and retired to a secret room。 After some refreshments; Lu Bu told the whole story of the episode in Phoenix Pavilion just as it happened。
Wang Yun said; 〃He seems to have corrupted my little girl and has stolen your wife。 He will be an object of shame and ridicule to the whole world。 And those who do not laugh at him will laugh at you and me。 Alas! I am old and powerless and can do nothing。 More pitied than blamed! But you; General; you are a warrior; the greatest hero in the world。 Yet you have been put to this shame and exposed to this contempt。〃
A wave of fierce wrath rolled up in Lu Bu。 Banging the table he shouted and roared。
His host ostentatiously tried to calm him; saying; 〃I forgot myself。 I should not have spoken like that。 Do not be so angry; I pray!〃