三国演义英文版-第22部分

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uarters　and　questioned　the　maids。　Presently　one　told　him　that　the　Prime　Minister　had　brought　home　a　new　bedfellow　the　night　before　and　was　not　up　yet。　Lu　Bu　was　very　angry。　Next　he　crept　round　behind　his　master's　sleeping　apartment。
By　this　time　Diao　Chan　had　risen　and　was　dressing　her　hair　at　the　window。　Looking　out　she　saw　a　long　shadow　fall　across　the　little　lake。　She　recognized　the　headdress；　and　peeping　around　she　saw　it　was　indeed　no　other　than　Lu　Bu。　Thereupon　she　contracted　her　eyebrows；　simulating　the　deepest　grief；　and　with　her　dainty　handkerchief　she　wiped　her　eyes　again　and　again。　Lu　Bu　stood　watching　her　a　long　time。
Soon　after　he　went　in　to　give　morning　greeting。　Dong　Zhuo　was　sitting　in　the　reception　room。　Seeing　his　henchman；　Dong　Zhuo　asked　if　there　was　anything　new。
〃Nothing；〃　was　the　reply。
Lu　Bu　waited　while　Dong　Zhuo　took　his　morning　meal。　As　he　stood　beside　his　master；　he　glanced　over　at　the　curtain　and　saw　a　woman　there　behind　the　screen　showing　a　half　face　from　time　to　time　and　throwing　amorous　glances　at　him。　He　felt　it　was　his　beloved；　and　his　thoughts　flew　to　her。　Presently　Dong　Zhuo　noticed　his　expression　and　began　to　feel　suspicious。
〃If　there　is　nothing；　you　may　go；〃　said　Dong　Zhuo。
Lu　Bu　sulkily　withdrew。
Dong　Zhuo　now　thought　of　nothing　but　his　new　mistress　and　for　more　than　a　month　neglected　all　affairs；　devoting　himself　entirely　to　pleasure。　Once　he　was　a　little　indisposed；　and　Diao　Chan　was　constantly　at　his　side；　never　even　undressing　to　show　her　solicitude。　She　gratified　his　every　whim。　Dong　Zhuo　grew　more　and　more　fond　of　her。
One　day　Lu　Bu　went　to　inquire　after　his　father's　health。　Dong　Zhuo　was　asleep；　and　Diao　Chan　was　sitting　at　the　head　of　his　couch。　Leaning　forward　she　gazed　at　the　visitor；　with　one　hand　pointed　to　her　heart；　the　other　at　Dong　Zhuo　asleep；　and　her　tears　fell。　Lu　Bu　felt　heartbroken。　Dong　Zhuo　drowsily　opened　his　eyes；　and　seeing　his　son's　gaze　fixed　on　something　behind　him；　he　turned　over　and　saw　who　it　was。
He　angrily　rebuked　his　son；　saying；　〃Dare　you　make　love　to　my　beauty？〃
He　told　the　servants　to　turn　Lu　Bu　out；　shouting；　〃Never　let　him　enter　here　again！〃
Lu　Bu　went　off　home　very　wrath。　Meeting　Li　Ru；　he　told　Li　Ru　the　cause　of　his　anger。
The　adviser　hastened　to　see　his　master　and　said；　〃Sir；　you　aspire　to　be　ruler　of　the　empire。　Why　then　for　a　small　fault　do　you　blame　the　General？　If　he　turns　against　you；　it　is　all　over。〃
〃Then　what　can　I　do？〃　said　Dong　Zhuo。
〃Recall　him　tomorrow；　treat　him　well；　overwhelm　him　with　gifts　and　fair　words；　and　all　will　be　well。〃
So　Dong　Zhuo　did　so。　He　sent　for　Lu　Bu　and　was　very　gracious　and　said；　〃I　was　irritable　and　hasty　yesterday　owing　to　my　illness　and　I　wronged　you；　I　know。　Forgive　me。〃
He　gave　Lu　Bu　three　hundred　ounces　of　gold　and　twenty　rolls　of　brocade。　And　so　the　quarrel　was　made　up。　But　though　Lu　Bu's　body　was　with　his　adopted　father　Dong　Zhuo；　his　heart　was　with　his　promised　bride　Diao　Chan。
Dong　Zhuo　having　quite　recovered　went　to　court　again；　and　Lu　Bu　followed　him　as　usual。　Seeing　Dong　Zhuo　deep　in　conversation　with　the　Emperor；　Lu　Bu；　armed　as　he　was；　went　out　of　the　Palace　and　rode　off　to　his　chief's　residence。　He　tied　up　his　steed　at　the　entrance　and；　halberd　in　hand；　went　to　the　private　apartment　to　seek　his　love。　He　found　Diao　Chan；　and　she　told　him　to　go　out　into　the　garden　where　she　would　join　him　soon。　He　went；　taking　his　halberd　with　him；　and　he　leaned　against　the　rail　of　the　Phoenix　Pavilion　to　wait　for　Diao　Chan。
After　a　long　time　she　appeared；　swaying　gracefully　as　she　made　her　way　under　the　drooping　willows　and　parting　the　flowers　as　she　passed。　She　was　exquisite；　a　perfect　fairy　from　the　Palace　of　the　Moon。
Tears　were　in　her　eyes　as　she　came　up　and　said；　〃Though　I　am　not　the　Minister's　real　daughter；　yet　he　treated　me　as　his　own　child。　The　desire　of　my　life　was　fulfilled　when　he　plighted　me　to　you。　But　oh！　to　think　of　the　wickedness　of　the　Prime　Minister；　stealing　my　poor　self　as　he　did。　I　suffered　so　much。　I　longed　to　die；　only　that　I　had　not　told　you　the　real　truth。　So　I　lived　on；　bearing　my　shame　as　best　as　I　could　but　feeling　it　mean　still　to　live。　Now　that　I　have　seen　you；　I　can　end　it　all。　My　poor　sullied　body　is　no　longer　fit　to　serve　a　hero。　I　can　die　before　your　eyes　and　so　prove　how　true　I　am！〃
Thus　speaking　she　seized　the　curving　rail　and　started　into　the　lily　pond。　Lu　Bu　caught　her　in　his　strong　arms　and　wept　as　he　held　her　close。
〃I　knew　it：　I　always　knew　your　heart；〃　he　sobbed。　〃Only　we　never　had　a　chance　to　speak。〃
She　threw　her　arms　about　Lu　Bu。
〃If　I　cannot　be　your　wife　in　this　life；　I　will　in　the　ages　to　e；〃　she　whispered。
〃If　I　do　not　marry　you　in　this　life；　I　am　no　hero；〃　said　he。
〃Every　day　is　a　year　long。　O　pity　me！　Rescue　me！　My　lord！〃
〃I　have　only　stolen　away　for　a　brief　moment；　and　I　am　afraid　that　old　rebel　will　suspect　something；　so　I　must　not　stay　too　long；〃　said　Lu　Bu。
Diao　Chan　clung　to　his　robe；　saying；　〃If　you　fear　the　old　thief　so　much；　I　shall　never　see　another　sunrise。〃
Lu　Bu　stopped。
〃Give　me　a　little　time　to　think；〃　said　he。
And　he　picked　up　his　halberd　to　go。
〃In　the　deep　seclusion　of　the　harem；　I　heard　the　stories　of　your　prowess。　You　were　the　one　man　who　excelled　all　others。　Little　did　I　think　that　you　of　all　heroes　would　rest　content　under　the　dominion　of　another。〃
And　tears　rained　again！
A　wave　of　shame　flooded　his　face。　Leaning　his　halberd　against　the　railing；　he　turned　and　clasped　the　girl　to　his　breast；　soothing　her　with　fond　words。　The　lovers　held　each　other　close；　swaying　to　and　fro　with　emotion。　They　could　not　bring　themselves　to　say　farewell。
In　the　meantime　Dong　Zhuo　missed　his　henchman；　and　doubt　filled　his　heart。　Hastily　taking　leave　of　the　Emperor；　he　mounted　his　chariot　and　returned　to　his　palace。　There　at　the　gate　stood　Lu　Bu's　well　known　steed　Red　Hare；　riderless。　Dong　Zhuo　questioned　the　doorkeepers；　and　they　told　him　the　General　was　within。　He　sent　away　his　attendants　and　went　alone　to　the　private　apartments。　Lu　Bu　was　not　there。　He　called　Diao　Chan；　but　there　was　no　reply。　He　asked　where　she　was；　and　the　waiting　maids　told　him　she　was　in　the　garden　among　the　flowers。
So　Dong　Zhuo　went　into　the　garden；　and　there　he　saw　the　lovers　in　the　pavilion　in　most　tender　talk。　Lu　Bu's　trident　halberd　was　leaning　on　the　railing　beside　him。
A　howl　of　rage　escaped　Dong　Zhuo　and　startled　the　lovers。　Lu　Bu　turned；　saw　who　it　was；　and　ran　away。　Dong　Zhuo　caught　up　the　halberd　and　ran　in　pursuit。　But　Lu　Bu　was　fleet　of　foot　while　his　master　was　very　stout。　Seeing　no　hope　of　catching　the　runaway；　Dong　Zhuo　hurled　the　halberd。　Lu　Bu　fended　it　off　and　it　fell　to　the　ground。　Dong　Zhuo　picked　it　up　and　ran　on。　But　by　this　time　Lu　Bu　was　far　ahead。　Just　as　Dong　Zhuo　was　running　out　at　the　garden　gate；　he　dashed　full　tilt　against　another　man　running　in；　and　down　he　went。

Surged　up　his　wrath　within　him　as　the　billows　heavenward　leap。
Crashed　his　unwieldy　body　to　earth　in　a　shapeless　heap。

We　shall　presently　see　who　the　other　runner　was。
　Main　Next　to　Chapter　9　》》

　　　Romance　of　Three　Kingdoms　…　by　Luo　Guanzhong　…　Chapter　9
　Chapter　9
Lu　Bu　Kills　Dong　Zhuo　For　Wang　Yun；
Li　Jue　Attacks　The　Capital　On　Jia　Xu's　Advice。
The　person　who　collided　with　the　irate　Dong　Zhuo　was　his　most　trusty　adviser　Li　Ru。　Li　Ru　had　not　fallen　in　spite　of　the　shock　and　at　once　scrambled　to　help　Dong　Zhuo　to　regain　his　feet　and　led　him　inside　to　the　library；　where　they　sat　down。
〃What　were　you　ing　about？〃　said　Dong　Zhuo。
〃Happening　to　be　passing　your　gates；　I　heard　that　you　had　gone　into　your　private　garden　to　look　for　your　adopted　son。　Then　came　Lu　Bu　running　and　crying　out　that　you　wanted　to　kill　him；　and　I　was　ing　in　as　fast　as　I　could　to　intercede　for　him　when　I　accidentally　collided　with　you。　I　am　very　sorry。　I　deserve　death。〃
〃The　wretch！　How　could　I　bear　to　see　him　toying　with　my　fair　one？　I　will　be　the　death　of　his　yet。〃
〃Your　Graciousness　is　making　a　mistake。　It　is　the　'plucked　tassel'　story　over　again。　But　if　you　remember　the　banquet　of　old　time　where　all　guests　were　to　tear　the　tassels　of　their　hats。　In　that　banquet；　King　Zhuang　of　Chu　made　no　fuss　about　the　liberties　taken　with　his　queen；　although　the　hat…tassel　in　her　hand　betrayed　the　culprit　Jiang　Xiong。　His　restraint　stood　him　good　stead；　for　the　same　Jiang　Xiong　saved　his　life　when　he　was　hemmed　in　by　the　soldiers　of　Qin。　After　all　Diao　Chan　is　only　a　handmaid；　but　Lu　Bu　is　your　trustiest　friend　and　most　dreaded　mander。　If　you　took　this　chance　of　making　the　girl　over　to　him；　your　kindness　would　win　his　undying　gratitude。　I　beg　you；　Sir；　to　think　over　it　well。〃
Dong　Zhuo　hesitated　a　long　time。　He　sat　murmuring　to　himself。　Presently　he　said；　〃What　you　say　is　right。　I　must　think　over　it。〃
Li　Ru　felt　satisfied。　He　took　leave　of　his　master　and　went　away。　Dong　Zhuo　went　to　his　private　rooms　and　called　Diao　Chan。
〃What　were　you　doing　there　with　Lu　Bu？〃　said　he。
She　began　to　weep；　saying；　〃Thy　handmaid　was　in　the　garden　among　the　flowers；　when　he　rushed　in　on　me。　I　was　frightened　and　ran　away。　He　asked　why　I　ran　away　from　a　son　of　the　family　and　pursued　me　right　to　the　pavilion；　where　you　saw　us。　He　had　that　halberd　in　his　hand　all　the　time。　I　felt　he　was　a　vicious　man　and　would　force　me　to　his　will；　so　I　tried　to　throw　myself　into　the　lily　pond；　but　he　caught　me　in　his　arms　and　held　me　so　that　I　was　helpless。　Luckily　just　at　that　moment　you　came　and　saved　my　life。〃
〃Suppose　I　send　you　to　him；〃　said　Dong　Zhuo。
Stunned；　she　pleaded　with　tears；　〃What　have　thy　handmaid　done？　My　honor　of　serving　only　Your　Highness　could　not　bear　being　given　to　a　mere　underling！　Never！　I　would　rather　die。〃
And　with　this　she　snatched　down　a　dagger　hanging　on　the　wall　to　kill　herself。
Dong　Zhuo　plucked　it　from　her　hand　and；　throwing　his　arms　about　her；　and　cried；　〃I　was　only　joking！〃
She　lay　back　on　his　breast　hiding　her　face　and　sobbing　bitterly。
〃This　is　the　doing　of　that　Li　Ru；〃　said　she。　〃He　is　much　too　thick　with　Lu　Bu。　He　suggested　that；　I　know。　Little　he　cares　for　the　Imperial　Rector's　reputation　or　my　life。　Oh！　I　could　eat　him　alive。〃
〃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