三国演义英文版-第9部分

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cal　event　attests　the　extent　of　the　power　exercised　by　a　prime　minister　in　those　days。　。。。。。
＇e＇　Huo　Guang　（BC　？…68）　a　general　and　regent　of　Han。　After　Emperor　Wu　died；　Huo　Guang　became　regent　to　three　successive　emperors；　and　the　second　one　had　been　the　Prince　of　Changyi；　who　was　on　the　throne　for　only　twenty…seven　days。　Huo　Guang　had　the　Prince　of　Changyi　declared　unfit　to　rule　and　deposed　him。　Even　though　Huo　Guang　contributed　much　to　the　empire's　stabilization；　after　he　died；　he　was　distanced　by　the　emperor　and　most　of　his　family　were　executed　for　conspiracy　charges。　。。。。。
〃You　are　mistaken；　Illustrious　Sir；〃　said　Lu　Zhi。　〃Of　old　Emperor　Tai　Jia　of　the　Shang　Dynasty　was　unenlightened。　Wherefore　the　sage　Minister　Yi　Yin*　immured　him　in　the　Tong　Palace　till　he　reformed。　Later　the　Prince　of　Changyi　ascended　the　throne；　and　in　twenty…seven　days　he　mitted　more　than　three　thousand　categorical　faults。　Wherefore　Regent　Marshal　Huo　Guang*　declared　in　the　ancestral　temple　that　the　Prince　of　Changyi　was　deposed。　Our　present　Emperor　is　young；　but　he　is　intelligent；　benevolent；　and　wise。　He　has　not　mitted　a　single　fault。　You；　Sir；　are　an　imperial　protector　of　a　frontier　region　and　not　a　metropolitan　official　and　have　had　no　experience　in　state　administration。　Neither　have　you　the　pure　intentions　of　Yi　Yin　and　Huo　Guang　which　qualified　their　actions。　The　Teacher　said：　'Only　with　Yi　Yin's　purpose　can　one　act　like　Yi　Yin。　Otherwise；　such　a　deed　is　treason。'〃
Dong　Zhuo　angrily　drew　his　sword　to　slay　the　bold　Lu　Zhi；　but　two　other　officials　remonstrated。
〃Minister　Lu　Zhi　is　the　cynosure　of　the　whole　country；　and　his　violent　death　would　stir　the　hearts　of　all　people！〃　said　Court　Counselors　Cai　Yong　and　Peng　Bo。
Dong　Zhuo　then　stayed　his　hand。
Then　said　Wang　Yun；　〃A　great　question　like　the　deposition　and　substitution　of　emperors　is　not　one　to　be　decided　after　a　wine　party。　Let　it　be　put　off　till　another　time。〃
So　the　guests　dispersed。　Dong　Zhuo　stood　at　the　gate　with　drawn　sword　watching　them　depart。　Standing　thus；　Dong　Zhuo　noticed　a　spearman　galloping　to　and　fro　on　a　fiery　steed　and　asked　Li　Ru　who　that　was。
〃That　is　Lu　Bu；　the　adopted　son　of　Ding　Yuan。　You　must　keep　out　of　his　way；　my　lord。〃
Dong　Zhuo　went　inside　the　gate　so　that　he　could　not　be　seen。　But　next　day　they　reported　to　him　that　Ding　Yuan　had　e　out　of　the　city　with　a　small　army　and　was　challenging　to　a　battle。　Dong　Zhuo；　with　his　army；　went　forth　to　accept　the　challenge。　And　the　two　armies　were　drawn　up　in　proper　array。
Lu　Bu　was　a　conspicuous　figure　in　the　forefront。　His　hair　was　arranged　under　a　handsome　headdress　of　gold；　and　he　had　donned　a　embroidered　thousand…flower　fighting　robe；　a　pheasant…tailed　helmet；　and　breast　plate；　and　round　his　waist　was　a　gleaming　jade　belt　with　a　lion's　head　clasp。　With　spear　set　he　rode　close　behind　his　master　Ding　Yuan。
Ding　Yuan；　riding　forth；　pointing　his　finger　at　Dong　Zhuo；　began　to　revile　him。
〃Unhappy　indeed　was　this　state　when　the　eunuchs　became　so　powerful　that　the　people　were　as　if　trodden　into　the　mire　under　their　feet。　Now　you；　devoid　of　the　least　merit；　dare　to　talk　of　deposing　the　rightful　emperor　and　setting　up　another。　This　is　to　desire　rebellion　and　no　less！〃
Dong　Zhuo　could　not　reply　for　Lu　Bu；　eager　for　the　fight；　rode　straight　at　him。　Dong　Zhuo　fled　and　Ding　Yuan's　army　came　on。　The　battle　went　in　Ding　Yuan's　favor；　and　the　beaten　troops　retired　ten　miles　and　made　another　camp。　Here　Dong　Zhuo　called　his　officers　to　a　council。
〃This　Lu　Bu　is　a　marvel；〃　said　Dong　Zhuo。　〃If　he　were　only　on　my　side；　I　would　defy　the　whole　world！〃
At　this　a　man　advanced　saying；　〃Be　content；　O　my　lord！　I　am　a　fellow　villager　of　his　and　know　him　well：　He　is　valorous；　but　not　crafty；　he　will　let　go　principles；　when　he　sees　advantages。　With　this　little；　blarneying　tongue　of　mine；　I　can　persuade　him　to　put　up　his　hands　and　e　over　to　your　side。〃
Dong　Zhuo　was　delighted　and　gazed　admiringly　at　the　speaker。　It　was　Li　Su；　a　general　in　the　Imperial　Tiger　Army。
〃What　arguments　will　you　use　with　him？〃　asked　Dong　Zhuo。
〃You　have　a　fine　horse；　Red　Hare；　one　of　the　best　ever　bred。　I　must　have　this　steed；　and　gold　and　pearls　to　win　his　heart。　Then　will　I　go　and　persuade　him。　He　will　certainly　abandon　Ding　Yuan's　service　for　yours。〃
〃What　think　you？〃　said　Dong　Zhuo　to　his　adviser　Li　Ru。
〃One　cannot　grudge　a　horse　to　win　an　empire；〃　was　the　reply。
So　they　gave　Li　Su　what　he　demanded………a　thousand　ounces　of　gold；　ten　strings　of　beautiful　pearls；　a　jeweled　belt；　and　Red　Hare………and　these　acpanied　Li　Su　on　his　visit　to　his　fellow　villager。
Li　Su　reached　the　camp　and　said　to　the　guard；　〃Please　tell　General　Lu　Bu　that　a　very　old　friend　has　e　to　visit　him。〃
He　was　admitted　forthwith。
〃Worthy　brother；　have　you　been　well　since　we　last　met？〃　greeted　Li　Su　while　bowing。
〃How　long　it　is　since　we　last　saw　each　other！〃　replied　Lu　Bu；　bowing　in　return。　〃And　where　are　you　now？〃
〃I　am　a　general　in　the　Imperial　Tiger　Army。　When　I　learned　you　were　a　strong　supporter　of　the　Throne；　I　could　not　say　how　I　rejoiced。　I　have　e　now　to　present　to　you　a　really　fine　horse；　a　five…hundred…mile…a…day　horse；　one　that　crosses　rivers　and　goes　up　mountains　as　if　they　were　the　level　plain。　Its　name　is　Red　Hare。　It　will　be　a　fitting　aid　to　your　valor。〃
Lu　Bu　bade　his　guards　lead　out　the　horse。　It　was　of　a　uniform　color　like　glowing…sun　red………not　a　hair　of　another　color。　It　measured　ten　spans　from　head　to　tail　and　from　hoof　to　neck　eight　spans。　When　it　neighed；　the　sound　filled　the　empyrean　and　shook　the　ocean。

Mark　ye　the　steed　swift　and　tireless；　see　the　dust；　spurned　by　his　hoofs；　rising　in　clouds；
Now　it　swims　the　river；　anon　climbs　the　hill；　rending　the　purple　mist　asunder；
Scornful　it　breaks　the　rein；　shakes　from　its　head　the　jeweled　bridle；
It　is　as　a　fiery　dragon　descending　from　the　highest　heaven。

Lu　Bu　was　delighted　with　the　horse　and　said；　〃What　return　can　I　hope　to　make　for　such　a　creature？〃
〃What　return　can　I　hope　for？　I　came　to　you　out　of　a　sense　of　what　is　right；〃　replied　Li　Su。
Wine　was　brought　in　and　they　drank。
〃We　have　seen　very　little　of　each　other；　but　I　am　constantly　meeting　your　honorable　father；〃　said　Li　Su。
〃You　are　drunk；〃　said　Lu　Bu。　〃My　father　has　been　dead　for　years。〃
〃Not　so；　I　spoke　of　Ding　Yuan；　the　man　of　the　day。〃
Lu　Bu　started。　〃Yes；　I　am　with　him；　but　only　because　I　can　do　no　better。〃
〃Sir；　your　talent　is　higher　than　the　heavens；　deeper　than　the　seas。　Who　in　all　the　world　does　not　bow　before　your　name？　Fame　and　riches　and　honors　are　yours　for　the　taking。　And　you　say　you　can　do　no　better　than　remain　a　subordinate！〃
〃If　I　could　only　find　a　master　to　serve；〃　said　Lu　Bu。
〃The　clever　bird　chooses　the　branch　whereon　to　perch；　the　wise　servant　selects　the　master　to　serve。　Seize　the　chance　when　it　es；　for　repentance　ever　es　too　late。〃
〃Now　you　are　in　the　government。　Who　think　you　is　really　the　bravest　of　all？〃；　asked　Lu　Bu。
〃I　despise　the　whole　lot　except　Dong　Zhuo。　He　is　one　who　respects　wisdom　and　reveres　scholarship；　he　is　discriminating　in　his　rewards　and　punishments。　Surely　he　is　destined　to　be　a　really　great　man。〃
Lu　Bu　said；　〃I　wish　that　I　could　serve　him；　but　there　is　no　way；　I　fear。〃
Then　Li　Su　produced　his　pearls　and　gold　and　the　jeweled　belt　and　laid　them　out　before　his　host。
〃What　is　this？　What　does　it　mean？〃　said　Lu　Bu。
〃Send　away　the　attendants；〃　requested　Li　Su。　And　he　went　on；　〃Dong　Zhuo　has　long　respected　your　bravery　and　sent　these　by　my　hand。　Red　Hare　was　also　from　him。〃
〃But；　if　he　loves　me　like　this；　what　can　I　do　in　return？〃
Li　Su　said；　〃If　a　stupid　fellow　like　me　can　be　a　general　in　the　Imperial　Tiger　Army；　it　is　impossible　to　say　what　honors　await　you。〃
〃I　am　sorry　I　can　offer　him　no　service　worth　mentioning。〃
Li　Su　said；　〃There　is　one　service　you　can　do；　and　an　extremely　easy　one　to　perform；　but　you　would　not　render　that。〃
Lu　Bu　pondered　long　in　silence；　then　he　said；　〃I　might　slay　Ding　Yuan　and　bring　over　his　soldiers　to　Dong　Zhuo's　side。　What　think　you　of　that？〃
〃If　you　would　do　that；　there　could　be　no　greater　service。　But　such　a　thing　must　be　done　quickly。〃
And　Lu　Bu　promised　his　friend　that　he　would　do　the　deed　and　e　over　on　the　morrow。
So　Li　Su　took　his　leave。　That　very　night；　at　the　second　watch；　Lu　Bu　entered；　sword　in　hand；　into　his　master's　tent。　He　found　Ding　Yuan　reading　by　the　light　of　a　solitary　candle。
Seeing　who　came　in；　Ding　Yuan　said；　〃My　son；　what　is　afoot？〃
〃I　am　a　bold　hero；〃　said　Lu　Bu。　〃Do　not　think　I　am　willing　to　be　a　son　of　yours！〃
〃Why　this　change；　Lu　Bu？〃
As　a　reply　Lu　Bu　made　one　cut；　and　Ding　Yuan's　head　fell　to　the　earth。
Then　Lu　Bu　called　the　attendants　and　said；　〃He　was　an　unjust　man；　and　I　have　slain　him。　Let　those　who　back　me　stay。　The　others　may　depart。〃
Most　ran　away。　Next　day；　with　the　head　of　the　murdered　man　as　his　gift；　Lu　Bu　betook　himself　to　Li　Su；　who　led　him　to　Dong　Zhuo。　Dong　Zhuo　received　him　with　a　warm　wele　and　had　wine　set　before　him。
〃Your　ing　is　wele　as　the　gentle　dew　to　the　parched　grass；〃　said　Dong　Zhuo。
Lu　Bu　made　Dong　Zhuo　seat　himself　and　then　made　an　obeisance；　saying；　〃Pray　let　me　bow　to　you　as　my　adopted　father！〃
Dong　Zhuo　gave　his　newly　won　ally　gold　armor　and　silken　robes　and　spread　the　feast　of　wele。　They　then　separated。
Thence　Dong　Zhuo's　power　and　influence　increased　rapidly。　He　gave　the　lordship　of　Hu　（an　ancient　state）　and　the　rank　mander　of　the　Left　Army　to　his　brother　Dong　Min。　He　appointed　Lu　Bu　Lord　of　Luoyang；　mander　of　Capital　District；　and　Cavalry　mander。　Dong　Zhuo　made　himself　Minister　of　Works；　Grand　mander；　and　mander　of　the　Front　Army。
The　adviser　Li　Ru　never　ceased　from　urging　him　to　carry　out　the　design　of　deposing　the　young　Emperor。
The　now　all…powerful　Dong　Zhuo　prepared　a　banquet　in　the　capital　at　which　all　the　officers　of　state　were　guests。　He　also　bade　Lu　Bu　post　a　pany　of　armed　men　right　and　left　ready　for　action。　The　feast　began　and　several　courses　were　served　with　nothing　to　distinguish　that　banquet　from　any　other。
Then　suddenly　the　host　arose　and　drew　his　sword；　saying；　〃He　who　is　above　us　being　weak　and　irresolute　is　unfit　for　the　duties　of　his　high　place。　Wherefore　I；　as　of　old　did　Yi　Yin　and　Huo　Guang；　will　set　aside　this　Emperor　giving　him　the　title　of　Prince　of　Hongnong；　and　I　will　place　on　the　throne　t