Romance of the Three Kingdoms II Read Online Free Page B
Author: Lo Kuan-Chung
he heard of the letter.
Chang Sung then also composed a letter to Liu Pei. While he was looking about for a trusty person to take it, his brother Su, who was the Prefect of a country district, came to see him. He hid the letter in his sleeve while he talked with his brother. Brother Su noticed his anxious inquietude, which he could not explain. Wine was brought in and, as the two brothers chatted over it, the letter dropped to the floor unnoticed by Chang Sung. One of brother Su's men saw it, picked it up and gave it to his master, who opened and read it.
This is about how it ran:—"What I said to you lately was not mere meaningless talk. Why, then, postpone action? The ancients valued the man who took by force and held by conciliation. If you act at once the whole matter is in your hand. Why abandon all and return to Chingchou? Surely I do not hear aright! When you get this, attack without a moment's delay and remember that I am your ally on the inside. Above all, no delay!"
"This plot of my brother's will end in the destruction of the whole family," said Chang Su. "I must get in the first word."
So at once he went in and laid the whole matter before the Prefect.
"I have always treated your brother so well!" said Liu Chang, very angry.
He issued orders to arrest Chang Sung and behead him and all his household in the market place.
Chang was quick of comprehension, such as he have been but few, Little thought he that a letter would betray
When he plotted for another. But success he never knew,
For himself there opened out a gory way.
Having thus learned of a real conspiracy to deprive him of his heritage, Liu Chang assembled his officers and asked their advice. Huang Ch'uan spoke out saying, "Prompt action is needed. Send to every strategic point telling them to increase the garrisons and keep careful guard and, above all, prevent the entrance of any person from Chingchou."
Such orders were sent to all points of vantage where were garrisons.
In the meantime, carrying out P'ang Tung's scheme, Liu Pei had marched down to Fouch'eng, where he halted and sent in a messenger to invite the two captains to come forth and say farewell. But they did not respond at once to this invitation.
"What is the real meaning of this retirement?" said one to the other.
'This Yuan-te ought to die," said Kao P'o. "Let us hide daggers under our dress and stab him at the place of farewell. That will end all our lord's troubles."
"A most excellent plan," said his colleague.
So they two, taking only a small escort, went down out of the Pass to say good-bye. Most of their men were left in the camp.
On the way down to Fou River, P'ang T'ung had said to his master, "You have need to be on your guard against those two if they come to bid you farewell. If they do not come, then the Pass must be attacked without delay."
Just as he said this a violent gust of wind overthrew the leading flag of the army, and Liu Pei asked what this portended.
"That means a surprise; those two intend to assassinate you, so be on your guard."
Accordingly, Liu Pei put on double armour and girded on his sword in readiness. When the two captains arrived the army halted while the captains should pay the farewell visit.
Then P'ang T'ung said to his two captains, Wei Yen and Huang Chang, "However many soldiers come down from the Pass see to it that none return."
The two captains of Shu, armed with hidden daggers, came up, their escort bearing gifts of sheep and wine. They marked no precautions being taken against an attack and began to think their task of murder would be an easy one. They were led in to where Liu Pei sat under a tent, his adviser with him.
They said, "We hear, O Imperial Uncle, that you contemplate a long march and therefore we come to offer a few poor gifts to speed you on your way."
The cups of farewell were duly filled. Then Yuan-te replied, "You have a heavy responsibility to defend the Pass, Captains. I pray you drink first."
They drank.
Chang Sung then also composed a letter to Liu Pei. While he was looking about for a trusty person to take it, his brother Su, who was the Prefect of a country district, came to see him. He hid the letter in his sleeve while he talked with his brother. Brother Su noticed his anxious inquietude, which he could not explain. Wine was brought in and, as the two brothers chatted over it, the letter dropped to the floor unnoticed by Chang Sung. One of brother Su's men saw it, picked it up and gave it to his master, who opened and read it.
This is about how it ran:—"What I said to you lately was not mere meaningless talk. Why, then, postpone action? The ancients valued the man who took by force and held by conciliation. If you act at once the whole matter is in your hand. Why abandon all and return to Chingchou? Surely I do not hear aright! When you get this, attack without a moment's delay and remember that I am your ally on the inside. Above all, no delay!"
"This plot of my brother's will end in the destruction of the whole family," said Chang Su. "I must get in the first word."
So at once he went in and laid the whole matter before the Prefect.
"I have always treated your brother so well!" said Liu Chang, very angry.
He issued orders to arrest Chang Sung and behead him and all his household in the market place.
Chang was quick of comprehension, such as he have been but few, Little thought he that a letter would betray
When he plotted for another. But success he never knew,
For himself there opened out a gory way.
Having thus learned of a real conspiracy to deprive him of his heritage, Liu Chang assembled his officers and asked their advice. Huang Ch'uan spoke out saying, "Prompt action is needed. Send to every strategic point telling them to increase the garrisons and keep careful guard and, above all, prevent the entrance of any person from Chingchou."
Such orders were sent to all points of vantage where were garrisons.
In the meantime, carrying out P'ang Tung's scheme, Liu Pei had marched down to Fouch'eng, where he halted and sent in a messenger to invite the two captains to come forth and say farewell. But they did not respond at once to this invitation.
"What is the real meaning of this retirement?" said one to the other.
'This Yuan-te ought to die," said Kao P'o. "Let us hide daggers under our dress and stab him at the place of farewell. That will end all our lord's troubles."
"A most excellent plan," said his colleague.
So they two, taking only a small escort, went down out of the Pass to say good-bye. Most of their men were left in the camp.
On the way down to Fou River, P'ang T'ung had said to his master, "You have need to be on your guard against those two if they come to bid you farewell. If they do not come, then the Pass must be attacked without delay."
Just as he said this a violent gust of wind overthrew the leading flag of the army, and Liu Pei asked what this portended.
"That means a surprise; those two intend to assassinate you, so be on your guard."
Accordingly, Liu Pei put on double armour and girded on his sword in readiness. When the two captains arrived the army halted while the captains should pay the farewell visit.
Then P'ang T'ung said to his two captains, Wei Yen and Huang Chang, "However many soldiers come down from the Pass see to it that none return."
The two captains of Shu, armed with hidden daggers, came up, their escort bearing gifts of sheep and wine. They marked no precautions being taken against an attack and began to think their task of murder would be an easy one. They were led in to where Liu Pei sat under a tent, his adviser with him.
They said, "We hear, O Imperial Uncle, that you contemplate a long march and therefore we come to offer a few poor gifts to speed you on your way."
The cups of farewell were duly filled. Then Yuan-te replied, "You have a heavy responsibility to defend the Pass, Captains. I pray you drink first."
They drank.
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