Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 1 quotes

Empires wax and wane; states cleave asunder and coalesce.

When the rule of Chou weakened seven contending principalities sprang up, warring one with another till they settled down as Tsʻin and when its destiny had been fulfilled arose Chʻu and Han to contend for the mastery. And Han was the victor.

Yüan-tê was twenty eight when the outbreak of the rebellion called for soldiers. The sight of the notice saddened him and he sighed as he read it. Suddenly a rasping voice behind him cried,

“Noble Sir, why sigh if you do nothing to help your country?”

Turning quickly he saw standing there a man about [5]his own height, with a bullet head like a leopard’s, large eyes, a pointed chin and a bristling moustache. He spoke in a loud bass voice and looked as irresistible as a runaway horse.

We will [6]rescue each other in difficulty, we will aid each other in danger. We swear to serve the state and save the people.

We ask not the same day of birth but we seek to die together.

May Heaven, the all-ruling, and Earth, the all-producing, read our hearts, and if we turn aside from righteousness or forget kindliness may Heaven and man smite us!”

“They are many and we but few,” said Yüan-tê to his brothers.

“We can only beat them by superior strategy.”

So they prepared an ambush. The two younger brothers, each with a goodly party, went behind the hills right and left and there hid. When the gongs beat they were to move out to support the main army.

Tho’ fierce as tigers soldiers be,

Battles are won by strategy.

A hero comes; he gains renown,

The seer made no reply and again he put the question. Then he replied,

“You are able enough to rule the world, but wicked enough to disturb it.”

Tsʻao greatly rejoiced to hear this.

“It is bitter to take orders from such a wretch; I would rather slay him. You may stay here an you wish to, but I will seek some other place.”

“We three are one in life and in death; there is no parting for us. We will all go hence.”

So spake Yüan-tê and his brother was satisfied. Wherefore all three set out and lost no time in travelling till they came to Chu Chien, who received them well and accepted their aid in attacking Chang Pao.

Then Kuan Yü came up saying, “Brother, after your magnificent services you only got this petty post and even here you have been insulted by this fellow.

A thorn bush is no place for a phoenix.

Let us slay this fellow, leave here and go home till we can evolve a bigger scheme.”

But to summon forces to the capital, to gather many bold men into one spot, each with his own schemes, is to turn one’s weapons against one’s own person, to place one’s self in the power of another.

Nothing but failure can come of it, nothing but confusion.

”

Then we can proceed.” So he composed one something like this: “Thy servant knows that the continual rebellions owe their origin to the eunuchs who act counter to all recognised precept.

Now to stop the ebullition of a pot the best way is to withdraw the fire; to cut out an abscess, though painful, is better than to nourish the evil.

I have dared to undertake a military advance on the capital, and now pray that Chang Jang and the other eunuchs be removed for the happiness of the Dynasty and of the whole land.”

Ho Chin read this memorial and showed it to his partisans. Then said Cheng Tʻai,

“A fierce wild beast; if he come his prey will be men.”

Ho Chin replied, “You are too timorous; you are unequal to great schemes.” [24]

But Lu Chih also said, “Long have I known this man; in appearance innocent, he is a very wolf at heart.

Let him in and calamity enters with him.

Stop him; do not let him come and thus will you avoid confusion.”

“What think you?” said Tung Cho to his adviser Li.

“One cannot grudge a horse to win an empire,” was the reply.

So they gave the corrupter of morals what he demanded—a thousand taels of gold, ten strings of beautiful pearls and a jewelled belt, and these accompanied Li Su on his visit to his fellow villager.

Lü Pu bade them lead out the horse. He was of a uniform colour like glowing charcoal; not a hair of another colour. He [31]measured ten feet from head to tail and from hoof to neck eight feet.

When he 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;

“If I could only find a master to serve!” said Lü Pu.

“The clever bird chooses the branch whereon to perch; the wise servant selects the master to serve. Seize the chance when it comes, for repentance ever comes too late.”

“Now you are in the government. Who think you is really the bravest of all?”, asked Lü Pu.

Seated among the guests, however, was Tsʻao Tsʻao, who did not join in the weeping but clapped his hands and laughed aloud. [39]

“If all the officers of the government weep till dawn, and from dawn weep till dark, will that slay Tung Cho?”

said he.

“

How can swallows and sparrows understand the flight of the crane and the wild goose?

I am your prisoner and am to be sent to the capital for a reward. Why so many questions?”

“To kill deliberately is very wrong,” said Chʻên Kung.

“I would rather betray the world then let the world betray me,” was the reply.

Chʻên Kung only thought. They rode on some distance by moonlight and presently knocked up an inn for shelter. Having first fed their horses, Tsʻao Tsʻao was soon asleep, but his companion lay thinking.

“Kuan Yü is a mounted archer: Fei is a foot archer.”

“Thus are able men buried!”

said Tsan, sighing. Then he continued. “All the highest in the land are now going to destroy the rebellious Tung Cho. My brother would do better to abandon this petty place and join us in restoring the House of Han. Why not?”

The minister Yang Piao said, “I pray you reflect. Within that city all is destruction. There is no reason to renounce the ancestral temples and abandon the imperial tombs here. I fear the people will be alarmed.

It is easy to alarm them but difficult to pacify them.

”

Yet another raised a protest against disturbing the people but the tyrant overbore him also.

“How can I stop to consider a few common people when my scheme affects the Empire?”

That day the three objectors were degraded to the rank of ordinary people.

“If those wretches come up, what then?” [59]

“The world can do without me, but not without you, my brother.”

“If I live I shall owe you my life,” said Tsʻao Tsʻao.

Stop the flow of milk and the infant dies. Why should you hand the district over to him?

It is nothing less than letting a tiger into the sheepfold.

”

His lord said, “I have won every battle and the city is on the point of falling.

Shall I return because the wind breaks a flagstaff?

”

She threw her arms about Lü Pu.

“If I cannot be your wife in this life I will in the ages to come,” 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!”

“No, no! Do not say such a thing,” said Wang, putting his hand over the other’s mouth. “You will bring trouble on poor me.”

“When a man is born great he cannot be patient for long under another man’s domination,” said Lü Pu.

“It needs some one greater than the Minister to limit the scope of such talents as yours.”

Remonstrance and appeal being vain Ma retired. But he said to his colleagues, “Is Wang Yün then careless of the future?

Worthy men are the mainstay of the State: laws are the canons of action.

To destroy the mainstay and nullify the laws is to hasten destruction.”

The visitor replied, “

It does not follow that a clever boy grows up into a clever man.

”

“What manner of man think you that I am?” said Yüan-tê. “The wise one said, ‘

Death is common to all: the man without truth cannot maintain himself.

’ Whether I get the men or not, certainly I shall myself come.”

“

The Empire of Han is the possession of all; what is your special claim?

” said Lü.

Steeped in sorrow and sad, read I the ancient records,

Long is the tale of years; the tale of sorrow is longer.

Wherefore he who would rule, chiefly must exercise forethought.

“

Out of the wolf’s den into the tiger’s mouth!

” said he.

“

But you know the prudent bird selects its tree and the wise servant chooses his master.

When one meets a worthy master and lets him go one is a fool.”

Chang Fei with his few followers went to his brother’s camp and told his story of treachery and surprise. All were greatly distressed.

“Success is not worth rejoicing over; failure is not worth grieving over,” said Liu Pei with a sigh.

“Where are our sisters?” asked Kuan.

In the last chapter it was recorded that Chang Fei was about to end his life with his own weapon. But his brother rushed forward and caught him in his arms, snatched away the sword and threw it on the earth saying, “

Brothers are hands and feet; wives and children are as clothing.

You may mend your torn dress, but who can re-attach a lost limb? We three, by the Oath of the Peach Garden, swore to seek the same death-day.

But his brother rushed forward and caught him in his arms, snatched away the sword and threw it on the earth saying, “Brothers are hands and feet; wives and children are as clothing.

You may mend your torn dress, but who can re-attach a lost limb?

We three, by the Oath of the Peach Garden, swore to seek the same death-day. The city is lost, it is true, and my wife and little ones, but I could not bear that we should die ere our course be run.

“

Your words, O Elder One, are as gold and precious stones, but I fear that my soldiers will not carry out my commands unless I myself share their dangers.

”

“There would be no sense in that.

All my life I have disliked fighting and quarrels, but have loved making peace.

And now I want to settle the quarrel between you two.”

Lü Pu turned back his sleeves, carefully fitted an arrow to the string and pulled the bow to its utmost stretch. A slight exclamation escaped him as the bow curved like the harvest moon sailing through the sky.

“Twang!” went the bowstring and the arrow sped like a falling star.

And it struck the slender tongue of the halberd head full and square. A roar of acclamation from all sides greeted the exploit. [164]

The tiger must be kept fully fed or he would eat men. But Tsʻao laughed and replied, ‘No; not that. One must treat the marquis like a falcon. Not feed it till the foxes and hares are done.

Hungry, the bird is of use; full fed it flies away.

’ I asked who were the quarry. He replied ‘Yüan Shu, Sun Tsʻê, Yüan Shao, Liu Piao, Liu Chang and Chang Lu; these are the foxes and hares.’ ”

“Of old Kao-Tsu, Founder of the Dynasty of Han, was only a very minor official and yet he became ruler of the Empire. The Dynasty has endured four centuries and its measure of fortune has run out.

It no longer possesses authority; the cauldron is on the point of boiling over.

My family has held the highest offices of State for four generations and is universally respected. Wherefore I wish, in response to the will of Heaven and the desire of the people, to assume the Imperial dignity. What think ye of the proposal, my officers?”

Lü Pu acquiesced and had the two arrested. But the son, Chʻên Têng, only laughed. “What is this anxiety about?” said he. “

These seven armies are no more to me than so many heaps of rotting straw.

They are not worth thinking about.”

“

Yüan Shu’s men are numerous but they are only a flock of crows; they are not an army under a leader.

There is no mutual confidence. I can keep them at bay with the ordinary guards of the place and could overcome them by some unsuspected stratagem.

“

I want the loan of your head to expose to the soldiery.

”

“

I made the rule and I have broken it. Can I otherwise satisfy public opinion?

”

Tsʻao replied, “

He who retires and finds his retreat cut off fights desperately.

I retired slowly to entice them into following whereby I could do as I wished with them. Basing my movements on these considerations I felt secure.”

Among them Hsün Yü fought against this discontent. “You must not act like this,” said he. “Lü Pu has lost much and his spirit is broken.

The spirit of the leader expresses that of his men, and when the leader fails his men do not fight.

Chʻên Kung is clever but nothing is done. Lü Pu broken, Chʻên Kung without decision, it only needs a sharp attack and we shall succeed.” [202]

Sung Hsien replied, “All he cares for is his family, there is no pity for any one else.

We are no more than the weeds by the roadside.

”

“

A loyal Minister does not mind death. If we are killed we will be Han ghosts, which is better than being sycophants of a traitor.

”

“

The sort of people who covet life and fear death are not those to discuss any great undertaking.

”

“

A dragon can assume any size, can rise in glory or hide from sight.

Bulky, it generates clouds and evolves mist; attenuated, it can scarcely hide a mustard stalk or conceal a shadow. Mounting, it can soar to the empyrean; subsiding, it lurks in the uttermost depths of the ocean.

Mounting, it can soar to the empyrean; subsiding, it lurks in the uttermost depths of the ocean. This is the mid-spring season and the dragon chooses this moment for his transformations, like a man realising his desires and overrunning the world.

The dragon among animals compares with the hero among men.

You, O Yüan-tê, with your experience must know who are the heroes of the present day and I wish you would say who they are.”

“

Now heroes are men who cherish lofty designs in their bosoms and have plans to achieve them; they have all-embracing schemes and the whole world is at their mercy.

”

Tsʻao pointed his finger first at his guest and then at himself, saying, “

The only heroes in the world are you and I.

”

Yüan-tê replied, “

The wise man paled at a sudden peal of thunder or fierce gust of wind. Why should one not fear?

”

He replied, “

I have been a bird in a cage, a fish in a net.

This is like the fish regaining the open sea and the bird soaring into the blue sky. I suffered much from the confinement.”

“Formerly, when he was governor of Yüchou, we recommended that he should be put to death but you would not hear of it. Now you have given him an army.

You have allowed the dragon to reach the sea, the tiger to return to the mountains.

What control will you have in future?”

“Even if you would not put him to death you need not have let him go. As the proverb says, ‘

Relax opposition for one day and age-long harm ensues.

’ You must admit the truth of this.”

Chü Shou said, “

Victory is not always to the many.

Tsʻao Tsʻao’s discipline is excellent; his soldiers are brave and well drilled. He will not sit down quietly waiting to be surrounded as Kungsun Tsan did.

Offices and rewards were conferred according to his will; punishment was at his word. He glorified whole families of those he loved; he exterminated whole clans of those he hated. Open critics were executed; secret opponents were assassinated.

Officials locked their lips; wayfarers only exchanged glances.

Presidents of Boards recorded levies and every government official held a sinecure.

“He added to this by setting up minute and vexatious prohibitions so that there were nets and snares spread in every pathway, traps and pitfalls laid in every road.

A hand raised was caught in a net, a foot advanced was taken in an entanglement.

Wherefore the men of Yen and Yü waxed desperate and the inhabitants of the metropolis groaned and murmured in anger.

They have coasted down the Yellow River to attack his van, and from Chingchou they have descended to Wanyeh to smite his rearguard. Thunder-like in the weight of their march, tiger-like in the alertness of their advance, they converge on Lotʻing.

They are as flames let loose among light grass, as the blue ocean poured on glowing embers.

Is there any hope that he escape destruction?

“

Hundreds of hawks are not worth one osprey.

If Mi Hêng be given a Court appointment notable results must follow. Ready in debate, rapid in utterance, his overwhelming intelligence wells up in profusion; in the solution of doubts and the unravelling of difficulties he has no peer.

The Emperor read the memorial and passed it to his Minister, who duly summoned Mi Hêng. He came, but after his formal salutations were over he was left standing and not invited to sit down. Looking up to heaven he sighed deeply, saying, “

Wide as is the universe it cannot produce the man.

”

“To flout one’s prince and insult one’s superiors is the real rudeness,” cried Mi Hêng. “

I bare my natural body as an emblem of my purity.

”

“

You are like a god in a temple; you sit still and receive sacrifice, but the lack of intelligence is pitiful.

”

“You are a rebel; you flout your Prince and injure your betters.

The whole world wishes to kill you. Do you think I am the only one?

”

“This is certainly talking me over,” said Kuan testily. “Though escape is impossible yet I am not perturbed.

I look upon death as going home.

You had better depart quickly and let me go down and begin the struggle again.”

“You are surrounded with the certainty of death if you do not yield.

There is no advantage in a useless death.

Wherefore your best course is to yield to Tsʻao Tsʻao till you hear news of Liu Pei and can rejoin him. Thus you will ensure the safety of the two ladies and also keep inviolate the Peach Garden compact. You will preserve a useful life.

“It is not thrift,” was his reply. “

The old robe was a gift from my brother and I wear it because it reminds me of him. I could not allow the new gift to eclipse his old one.

”

Kuan Yü quickly mounted, turned down his mighty weapon and galloped down the hill, his phoenix eyes rounded and his heavy eyebrows fiercely bristling.

He dashed straight into the enemy’s array and the northmen opened like water before him, a wave spreading right and left.

He made directly for the general.

“

Any one born into the world without the one essential virtue of sincerity is no true man.

I came here openly and can go in no other way.

“Why unhappily?” said Kuan Yü. “

In these days of disorder a good soldier can make a name for himself.

”

Said Kuan Yü, “

Under the greenwood tree is no place for a hero’s foot.

You had better abandon this depraved life and return to the path of virtue. Do not work out your own destruction.”

Chou Tsʻang replied, “I am only a rough uncouth fellow, wasting his life as a brigand.

Meeting you, General, is like seeing the full sun in the skies and I feel that I can never bear to miss you again.

As it might be inconvenient for all my men to follow you I will bid my companion lead them away, but I will come and follow you on foot wherever you go.”

“Sisters, do not let him blind you to the truth.

Real loyalty prefers death to dishonour. No good man can serve two masters.

”

“

He who wins men, prospers; he who loses them, fails.

Your present plan should be to seek men of high aims and farseeing views and you can establish yourself firmly.”

Meanwhile he hastened to start.

The banners of his host filled the horizon, their swords were as trees in the forest.

They marched to Yangwu and there made a strong camp.

You, Sir, are very weak while he is very strong and if you cannot get the better of him he will be able to work his will on you for this is a crisis of empire.

Your opponents are indeed numerous, but their leader knows not how to use them.

With your military genius and discernment where are you not sure to succeed? Now though your numbers are small it is not as when Chʻu and Han were between Jungyang and Chʻêngkao.

The discredited adviser sighed and went out, saying, “

Faithful words offend his ear.

He is a pest and unworthy of advice from me. And now that Shên Pʻei has injured my son and nephew how can I look my fellow men in the face again?”

“

But you are my old friend and no name or office makes any difference to us

,” replied Tsʻao.

Hsü Yu said, “

To oppose a great army with a small one is to walk in the way of destruction unless you inflict quick defeat.

I can propose a plan which will defeat the innumerable hordes of Yüan Shao without fighting a battle. But will you follow my advice?”

Yün-chʻang said, “Brother, you are wrong to speak thus. When the great Founder of Han contended with Hsiang Yü he was defeated many times, but he won at Chiuli Hill and that achievement was the foundation of a Dynasty that endured for four centuries.

Victory and defeat are but ordinary events in a soldier’s career and why should you give up?

”

And Tʻan agreed. It happened that a certain Wang Hsiu came just then from Chʻingchou whom Tʻan took into his confidence. Wang opposed the murder plan saying, “

Brothers are as one’s limbs.

How can you possibly succeed if at a moment of conflict with an enemy you cut off one of your hands? If you abandon your brother and sever relationship, whom will you take in all the world as a relation?

Yen replied, “

The Empire is rent and the country is torn; the brothers Yüan are at war and the people have been stripped naked.

Yet, Sir, you do not hasten to enquire after local conditions and how to rescue the people from misery, but first compute the possibilities of taxation. Can you expect to gain the support of our people by such means?” [349]

“When one has received favours from a man in life it would be wrong not to mourn at his death.

How can one stand in the world if one forgets duty through fear?

If I could bury his body I would not mind death.”

“

In this period of disruption, with strife on every side, one cannot pretend that there will be no more opportunities. If you only take that what offers there will be nothing to regret.

”

“Your fighting men are good: fit to oppose a legion. The pity is you have no really able adviser.

Your civilians are but pallid students of books, not men fitted to weave and control destiny.

”

“

I have always yearned to find one of those marvellous recluses who live among the hills till their day arrive.

So far I have sought in vain.”

“Water-mirror” replied, “You, capable enough to be the adviser of a king, ought to be able to find some one fit to serve. Why did you cheapen yourself so far as to go to Liu Piao?

Beside there is a real hero right under your eyes and you do not know him.

”

Both were grieved and sighed. Yüan-tê asked the parting guest to a banquet, but he declined saying, “

With my mother a prisoner I can swallow nothing, nay, though it were brewed from gold or distilled from jewels.

”

Yüan-tê dismounted, took Hsü Shu by the hands and said, “Alas! we part.

Each goes his way and who knows if we shall meet again?

”

but I fear the task is indeed difficult and to attempt it would be a vain expenditure of mental energy. You know well that he who goes with the favour of Heaven travels an easy road, he who goes contrary meets difficulties.

One cannot escape one’s lot; one cannot evade fate.

” [391]

It was winter and exceedingly cold; angry clouds covered the whole sky. Before they had gone far a bitter wind began to blow in their faces and the snow began to fall.

Soon the mountains were of jade and the trees of silver.

“It is very cold and the earth is frozen hard, no fighting is possible now.” Said Chang Fei. “Yet we are going all this way to get advice which will be useless to us. Where is the sense of it?

Liu Pei said, “

Do you not understand that the plans elaborated in a little chamber decide success over thousands of li?

Do not disobey the command, my brothers.”

“

I would rather perish than do what is wrong.

”

The youths replied, “

When the nest is pulled down are the eggs left unbroken?

”

But Yüan-tê wept, saying, “

The success of every great enterprise depends upon humanity; how can I abandon these people who have joined me?

”

He knew nothing of the fate of his captains or the people. He lifted up his voice in lamentation saying, “Myriads of living souls are suffering from love of me, [434]and my captains and my loved ones are lost.

One would be a graven image not to weep at such loss.

”

Turning about he found he had but two score followers left. He rode quickly to and fro among the scattered soldiers seeking the lost women.

The lamentations of the people about him were enough to make heaven and earth weep.

Some had been wounded by arrows, others by spears; they had thrown away their children, abandoned their wives, and were flying they knew not whither in crowds.

He never thought of taking Chiangling, but willingly suffered with his people. This is a striking instance of his magnanimity. Small forces are no match for large armies.

Victory and defeat are common episodes in every campaign.

The great Founder of the Hans suffered many defeats at the hands of Hsiang Yü, but he finally conquered at Haihsia and that battle was decisive.

Kʻung-ming waited till he had closed his oration, then laughed and said, “

How can the common birds understand the long flight of the roc?

Let me use an illustration. A man has fallen into a terrible malady. First the physician must administer hashish, then soothing drugs until his viscera shall be calmed into harmonious action.

Kʻung-ming replied, “There are scholars and scholars. There is the noble scholar, loyal and patriotic, of perfect rectitude and a hater of any crookedness.

The concern of such a scholar is to act in full sympathy with his day and leave to future ages a fine reputation.

There is the scholar of the mean type, a pedant and nothing more. He labours constantly with his pen, in his callow youth composing odes and in hoary age still striving to understand the classical books completely.

There is the scholar of the mean type, a pedant and nothing more. He labours constantly with his pen, in his callow youth composing odes and in hoary age still striving to understand the classical books completely.

Thousands of words flow from his pen but there is not a solid idea in his breast.

He may, as did Yang Hsiung, glorify the age with his writings and yet stoop to serve a tyrant such as Mang. No wonder Yang threw himself out of a window; he had to. That is the way of the scholar of mean type.

Yüan-tê, after a moment’s reflection, saw that it was true. He begged Kʻung-ming to return with him to Fanchʻêng, but he refused. “I am quite safe,” said he. “

Although I am living in the tiger’s mouth, I am as steady as Mount Tʻai.

Now, my lord, return and prepare your ships and men. On the twentieth day of the eleventh month send Chao Yün with a small ship to the south bank to wait for me. Be sure there is no miscarriage.”

So Tsʻai Mao and Chang Yün organised a naval camp on the river bank. They established twenty-four “Water Gates,” with the large ships outside as a sort of rampart, and under their protection the smaller ships went to and fro freely.

At night when the lanterns and torches were lit the very sky was illuminated and the water shone red with the glare.

On land the smoke of the camp fires could be traced for three hundred li without a break.

His words must be obeyed, his plans must be followed out. He is independent of good or evil fortune. He [478]takes as his models such men as Su Chʻin, Chang I, Lu Chia and Li Shêng so that they seem to live again.

His words pour forth like a rushing river, his tongue is as a sharp sword.

Is it possible to move such as I am?”

“

One cannot be a leader without knowing the workings of heaven and the ways of earth.

One must understand the secret gates and the interdependence of the elements, the mysteries of tactics and the value of forces. It is but an ordinary talent.

If one binds one’s self to a fixed moment and the thing cannot be done just then, the secret will be discovered.

One must watch for an opportunity and take it when it comes.

Think; is it possible to know exactly when? But you know nothing of common sense; all you know is how to put good men to death. So you really are an ignorant fellow.”

“

How can any one feel secure? We are constantly the playthings of luck, good or bad.

“Yes; Heaven’s winds and clouds are not to be measured. No one can reckon their comings and goings, can they?”

He said, “

When soldiers come to hills they cut a road, when they happen upon streams they bridge them; such a thing as mud cannot stay an army.

”

Lu Su stammered and seemed unwilling to be cited as one of the witnesses but Chou Yü said, “

When the word of a noble man has gone forth it is ended; he never regrets.

”

Chou Yü lay and listened. Suddenly he sprang up, crying, “

The noble man who has eaten of his lord’s bounty should die in his lord’s battles; to return to one’s home wrapped in a horse’s hide is a happy fate.

Am I the sort of man to bring to nought the grand designs of my country?”

When they had become mellow with wine the Prefect invited Chao Yün into the inner quarters, where wine was again served. When Chao Yün was a little intoxicated, his host bade a woman come forth and offer a cup of wine to the guest.

The woman was dressed entirely in white silk and her beauty was such as to overthrow cities and ruin states.

“Who is she?” asked Chao Yün.

But Chang Liao replied, “That is not the way of a leader.

A victory is no reason for rejoicing, nor should a defeat cause sadness.

If the men of Wu suspect that I am unprepared, they will attack and we must be ready to repel them. Be ready to-night and be doubly careful.”

Lü Fan said, “

A man without a wife is like a house without a ridge pole.

At your age one should not live an incomplete life. I am come on the part of the Marquis of Wu, who has a sister, beautiful as she is accomplished and well fitted to be a mate for you.

Yes, they stood both entranced by the beautiful scene.

And gradually along the vast river the wind whipped the waves into snowy foam and raised them high toward heaven. And in the midst of the waves appeared a tiny leaf of a boat riding over the waves as if all was perfect calm.

“The southern people are sailors and the northern men riders; it is quite true,” sighed Liu Pei.

In this way the affection of his brothers will be alienated and Chuko will be driven away. When this result has been attained we can smite him and so end a great matter.

If we be at all careless I fear the recumbent dragon may fly to the skies; it is no beast to be kept in a pond.

“My lord, I pray you to consider this thoroughly.”

If I could I would do away with my armies and retire to my fief with my simple title of Marquis Wupʻing. Alas! I cannot.

I am afraid to lay down my military powers lest I should come to harm.

Should I be defeated, the State would totter and so I may not risk real misfortune for the sake of an empty reputation for kindness. There be some of you who do not know my heart.”

If I could I would do away with my armies and retire to my fief with my simple title of Marquis Wupʻing. Alas! I cannot. I am afraid to lay down my military powers lest I should come to harm.

Should I be defeated, the State would totter and so I may not risk real misfortune for the sake of an empty reputation for kindness.

There be some of you who do not know my heart.”

Tsʻao Tsʻao replied, “

Liu Pei is a dragon among men. All his life hitherto he has never found his element, but now that he has obtained Chingchou it is as if the dragon, once captive, had escaped to the mighty deep.

There is good reason for me to quake with fear.”

“Possessing but ordinary abilities, there was no reason why I should have been the recipient of your confidence and high office, but I have not spared myself in the leadership of the great army under my command that thereby I might prove my gratitude.

Yet none can measure life and the number of our days is ordained by fate.

Before I could achieve even my poor intentions my feeble body has failed me. I regret it without measure. I die with Tsʻao Tsʻao threatening and our northern borders disturbed and with Liu Pei in your family as though you were feeding a fierce tiger.

“Alas, my friend!

The quick and the dead are ever separate; they mingle never.

If in the deep shades spirits have understanding you now read my inmost heart, yet hereafter there will be none on earth to comprehend.

Opening it he read:—“Pʻang Shih-yüan is not the sort of man to be met with in any day’s march. Employ him in some capacity where extraordinary talent is required and his powers will declare themselves.

Beware of judging him by his looks or you may lose the advantage of his abilities and some other will gain him.

This would be a misfortune.”

Now Ma Chʻao was in Hsiliang. One night he had a vision.

In his dream he saw himself lying out on a snowy plain and many tigers were coming up and biting him.

He awoke in a fright and began to wonder what the dream portended. Failing to explain it, he told the dream to his officers. One of them ventured to say the portent was evil. This was one, Pʻang Tê, a junior officer.