英文版三国演义

Chapter1读三国演义**1**ThreeHeroesSwearBrotherhoodInThePeachGarden;

OneVictoryShattersTheRebelsInBattlegrounds.Domainsunderheaven,afteralongperiodofdivision,tendstounite;afteralongperiodofunion,tendstodivide.Thishasbeensosinceantiquity.WhentheruleoftheZhouDynastyweakened,sevencontendingkingdomssprangup*,warringonewithanotheruntilthekingdomofQinprevailedandpossessedtheempire*.ButwhenQin'sdestinyhadbeenfulfilled,arosetwoopposingkingdoms,ChuandHan,tofightforthemastery.AndHanwasthevictor*.读三国演义**2**TheriseofthefortunesofHanbeganwhenLiuBangtheSupremeAncestor*slewawhiteserpenttoraisethebannersofuprising,whichonlyendedwhenthewholeempirebelongedtoHan(BC202).ThismagnificentheritagewashandeddowninsuccessiveHanemperorsfortwohundredyears,tilltherebellionofWangMangcausedadisruption*.ButsoonLiuXiutheLatterHanFounderrestoredtheempire*,andHanemperorscontinuedtheirruleforanothertwohundredyearstillthedaysofEmperorXian,whichweredoomedtoseethebeginningoftheempire'sdivisionintothreeparts,knowntohistoryasTheThreeKingdoms.读三国演义**3**ButthedescentintomisrulehastenedinthereignsofthetwopredecessorsofEmperorXianEmperorsHuanandLingwhosatintheDragonThroneaboutthemiddleofthesecondcentury.EmperorHuanpaidnoheedtothegoodpeopleofhiscourt,butgavehisconfidencetothePalaceeunuchs*.Helivedanddied,leavingthesceptertoEmperorLing,whoseadviserswereRegentMarshalDouWuandImperialGuardianChenFan*.DouWuandChenFan,disgustedwiththeabusesoftheeunuchsintheaffairsofthestate,plottedthedestructionforthepower-abusingeunuchs.ButChiefEunuchCaoJiewasnottobedisposedofeasily.Theplotleakedout,andthehonestDouWuandChenFanwereputtodeath,leavingtheeunuchsstrongerthanbefore.读三国演义**4**Itfelluponthedayoffullmoonofthefourthmonth,thesecondyear,intheeraofEstablishedCalm(AD168),thatEmperorLingwentinstatetotheHallofVirtue.Ashedrewnearthethrone,arushingwhirlwindaroseinthecornerofthehalland,lo!fromtheroofbeamsfloateddownamonstrousblackserpentthatcoileditselfupontheveryseatofmajesty.TheEmperorfellinaswoon.Thosenearesthimhastilyraisedandborehimtohispalace,whilethecourtiersscatteredandfled.Theserpentdisappeared.读三国演义**5**Buttherefollowedaterrifictempest,thunder,hail,andtorrentsofrain,lastingtillmidnightandworkinghavoconallsides.TwoyearslatertheearthquakedinCapitalLuoyang,whilealongthecoastahugetidalwaverushedinwhich,initsrecoil,sweptawayallthedwellersbythesea.Anotherevilomenwasrecordedtenyearslater,whenthereigntitlewaschangedtoRadiantHarmony(AD178):Certainhenssuddenlycrowed.Atthenewmoonofthesixthmonth,alongwreathofmurkycloudwounditswayintotheHallofVirtue,whileinthefollowingmontharainbowwasseenintheDragonChamber.Awayfromthecapital,apartoftheYuanMountainscollapsed,leavingamightyriftintheflank.读三国演义**6**Suchweresomeofvariousomens.EmperorLing,greatlymovedbythesesignsofthedispleasureofHeaven,issuedanedictaskinghisministersforanexplanationofthecalamitiesandmarvels.CourtCounselorCaiYongrepliedbluntly:"Fallingrainbowsandchangesoffowls'sexesarebroughtaboutbytheinterferenceofempressesandeunuchsinstateaffairs."读三国演义**7**TheEmperorreadthismemorialwithdeepsighs,andChiefEunuchCaoJie,fromhisplacebehindthethrone,anxiouslynotedthesesignsofgrief.Anopportunityoffering,CaoJieinformedhisfellows,andachargewastrumpedupagainstCaiYong,whowasdrivenfromthecourtandforcedtoretiretohiscountryhouse.Withthisvictorytheeunuchsgrewbolder.Tenofthem,rivalsinwickednessandassociatesinevildeeds,formedapowerfulpartyknownastheTenRegularAttendantsZhangRang,ZhaoZhong,ChengKuang,DuanGui,FengXu,GuoSheng,HouLan,JianShuo,CaoJie,andXiaYun.读三国演义**8**Oneofthem,ZhangRang,wonsuchinfluencethathebecametheEmperor'smosthonoredandtrustedadviser.TheEmperorevencalledhim"FosterFather".Sothecorruptstateadministrationwentquicklyfrombadtoworse,tillthecountrywasripeforrebellionandbuzzedwithbrigandage.AtthistimeinthecountyofJuluwasacertainZhangfamily,ofwhomthreebrothersborethenameofZhangJue,ZhangBa,andZhangLian,respectively.TheeldestZhangJuewasanunclassedgraduate,whodevotedhimselftomedicine.Oneday,whilecullingsimplesinthewoods,ZhangJuemetavenerableoldgentlemanwithverybright,emeraldeyesandfreshcomplexion,whowalkedwithanoak-woodstaff.TheoldmanbeckonedZhangJueintoacaveandtheregavehimthreevolumesofTheBookofHeaven."Thisbook,"saidtheoldgentleman,"istheEssentialArtsofPeace.Withtheaidofthesevolumes,youcanconverttheworldandrescuehumankind.Butyoumustbesingle-minded,or,restassured,youwillgreatlysuffer."Withahumbleobeisance,ZhangJuetookthebookandaskedthenameofhisbenefactor."IamSaintHermitoftheSouthernLand,"wasthereply,astheoldgentlemandisappearedinthinair.ZhangJuestudiedthewonderfulbookeagerlyandstrovedayandnighttoreduceitspreceptstopractice.Beforelong,hecouldsummonthewindsandcommandtherain,andhebecameknownastheMysticoftheWayofPeace.InthefirstmonthofthefirstyearofCentralStability(AD184),therewasaterriblepestilencethatranthroughouttheland,whereuponZhangJuedistributedcharmedremediestotheafflicted.Thegodlymedicinesbroughtbigsuccesses,andsoonhegainedthetittleoftheWiseandWorthyMaster.Hebegantohaveafollowingofdiscipleswhomheinitiatedintothemysteriesandsentabroadthroughoutalltheland.They,liketheirmaster,couldwritecharmsandreciteformulas,andtheirfameincreasedhisfollowing.ZhangJuebegantoorganizehisdisciples.Heestablishedthirty-sixcircuits,thelargerwithtenthousandormoremembers,thesmallerwithabouthalfthatnumber.EachcircuithaditschiefwhotookthemilitarytitleofGeneral.Theytalkedwildlyofthedeathoftheblueheavenandthesettingupofthegoldenone;theysaidanewcyclewasbeginningandwouldbringuniversalgoodfortunetoallmembers;andtheypersuadedpeopletochalkthesymbolsforthefirstyearofthenewcycleonthemaindooroftheirdwellings.WiththegrowthofthenumberofhissupportersgrewalsotheambitionofZhangJue.TheWiseandWorthyMasterdreamedofempire.Oneofhispartisans,MaYuanyi,wassentbearinggiftstogainthesupportoftheeunuchswithinthePalace.TohisbrothersZhangJuesaid,"Forschemeslikeoursalwaysthemostdifficultpartistogainthepopularfavor.Butthatisalreadyours.Suchanopportunitymustnotpass."[e]OneoftheTenRegularAttendantsAndtheybegantoprepare.Manyyellowflagsandbannersweremade,andadaywaschosenfortheuprising.ThenZhangJuewroteletterstoEunuchFengXu*andsentthembyoneofhisfollowers,TangZhou,whoalas!betrayedhistrustandreportedtheplottothecourt.TheEmperorsummonedthetrustyRegentMarshalHeJinandbadehimlooktotheissue.MaYuanyiwasatoncetakenandbeheaded.FengXuandmanyotherswerecastintoprison.Theplothavingthusbecomeknown,theZhangbrotherswereforcedatoncetotakethefield.Theytookupgrandiosetitles:ZhangJuetheLordofHeaven,ZhangBatheLordofEarth,andZhangLiantheLordofHuman.Andinthesenamestheyputforththismanifesto:"ThegoodfortuneoftheHanisexhausted,andtheWiseandWorthyManhasappeared.DiscernthewillofHeaven,Oyepeople,andwalkinthewayofrighteousness,wherebyaloneyemayattaintopeace."Supportwasnotlacking.OneverysidepeopleboundtheirheadswithyellowscarvesandjoinedthearmyoftherebelZhangJue,sothatsoonhisstrengthwasnearlyhalfamillionstrong,andtheofficialtroopsmeltedawayatawhisperofhiscoming.RegentMarshalandGuardianoftheThrone,HeJin,memorializedforgeneralpreparationsagainsttheYellowScarves,andanedictcalleduponeveryonetofightagainsttherebels.Inthemeantime,threeImperialCommandersLuZhi,HuangfuSong,andZhuJunmarchedagainsttheminthreedirectionswithveteransoldiers.[e]AncientChinawasdividedintonineadministrativeregionsorzhou's.Eachregionhadacapitalcity,oftenofthesamename.ThenineregionswereBingzhou,Jingzhou,Jizhou,Liangzhou,Qingzhou,Xuzhou,Yizhou,Youzhou,andYuzhou.Overthetimemoreregionswerecreated.DuringtheThreeKingdomsperiod,therewerealreadymorethannineregions.AfewofthenewregionswereXizhou,Yangzhou,andYongzhou.(seemap)[e]ImperialProtectorwasthehighestofficeinanadministrativeregion.MeanwhileZhangJueledhisarmyintoYouzhou,thenortheasternregionoftheempire*.TheImperialProtector*ofYouzhouwasLiuYan,ascionoftheImperialHouse.Learningoftheapproachoftherebels,LiuYancalledinCommanderZhouJingtoconsultovertheposition.ZhouJingsaid,"Theyaremanyandwefew.Wemustenlistmoretroopstoopposethem."LiuYanagreed,andheputoutnoticescallingforvolunteerstoserveagainsttherebels.OneofthesenoticeswaspostedupinthecountyofZhuo,wherelivedonemanofhighspirit.Thismanwasnomerebookishscholar,norfoundheanypleasureinstudy.Buthewasliberalandamiable,albeitamanoffewwords,hidingallfeelingunderacalmexterior.Hehadalwayscherishedayearningforhighenterpriseandhadcultivatedthefriendshipofhumansofmark.Hewastallofstature.Hisearswerelong,thelobestouchinghisshoulders,andhishandshungdownbelowhisknees.Hiseyeswereverybigandprominentsothathecouldseebackwardpasthisears.Hiscomplexionwasasclearasjade,andhehadrichredlips.[e]ReignedBC157-141.HewasadescendantofPrinceShengofZhongshanwhosefatherwastheEmperorJing*,thefourthemperoroftheHanDynasty.HisnamewasLiuBei.Manyyearsbefore,oneofhisforbearshadbeenthegovernorofthatverycounty,buthadlosthisrankforremissnessinceremonialofferings.However,thatbranchofthefamilyhadremainedonintheplace,graduallybecomingpoorerandpoorerastheyearsrolledon.HisfatherLiuHonghadbeenascholarandavirtuousofficialbutdiedyoung.Thewidowandorphanwereleftalone,andLiuBeiasaladwonareputationforfilialpiety.Atthistimethefamilyhadsunkdeepinpoverty,andLiuBeigainedhislivingbysellingstrawsandalsandweavinggrassmats.ThefamilyhomewasinavillagenearthechiefcityofZhuo.Nearthehousestoodahugemulberrytree,andseenfromafaritscurvedprofileresembledthecanopyofawagon.Notingtheluxurianceofitsfoliage,asoothsayerhadpredictedthatonedayamanofdistinctionwouldcomeforthfromthefamily.Asachild,LiuBeiplayedwiththeothervillagechildrenbeneaththistree,andhewouldclimbupintoit,saying,"IamtheSonofHeaven,andthisismychariot!"Hisuncle,LiuYuanqi,recognizedthatLiuBeiwasnoordinaryboyandsawtoitthatthefamilydidnotcometoactualwant.WhenLiuBeiwasfifteen,hismothersenthimtravelingforhiseducation.ForatimeheservedZhengXuanandLuZhiasmasters.AndhebecamegreatfriendswithGongsunZan.LiuBeiwastwenty-eightwhentheoutbreakoftheYellowScarvescalledforsoldiers.Thesightofthenoticesaddenedhim,andhesighedashereadit.Suddenlyaraspingvoicebehindhimcried,"Sir,whysighifyoudonothingtohelpyourcountry?"Turningquicklyhesawstandingthereamanabouthisownheight,withabulletheadlikealeopard's,largeeyes,aswallowpointedchin,andwhiskerslikeatiger's.Hespokeinaloudbassvoiceandlookedasirresistibleasadashinghorse.AtonceLiuBeisawhewasnoordinarymanandaskedwhohewas."ZhangFeiismyname,"repliedthestranger."IlivenearherewhereIhaveafarm;andIamawinesellerandabutcheraswell;andIliketobecomeacquaintedwithworthypeople.Yoursighsasyoureadthenoticedrewmetowardyou."LiuBeireplied,"IamoftheImperialFamily,LiuBeiismyname.AndIwishIcoulddestroytheseYellowScarvesandrestorepeacetotheland,butalas!Iamhelpless.""Ihavethemeans,"saidZhangFei."SupposeyouandIraisedsometroopsandtriedwhatwecoulddo."ThiswashappynewsforLiuBei,andthetwobetookthemselvestothevillageinntotalkovertheproject.Astheyweredrinking,ahuge,tallfellowappearedpushingahand-cartalongtheroad.Atthethresholdhehaltedandenteredtheinntorestawhileandhecalledforwine."Andbequick!"addedhe."ForIaminhastetogetintothetownandoffermyselfforthearmy."LiuBeilookedoverthenewcomer,itembyitem,andhenotedthemanhadahugeframe,alongbeard,avividfacelikeanapple,anddeepredlips.Hehadeyeslikeaphoenix'sandfinebushyeyebrowslikesilkworms.Hiswholeappearancewasdignifiedandawe-inspiring.Presently,LiuBeicrossedover,satdownbesidehimandaskedhisname."IamGuanYu,"repliedhe."Iamanativeoftheeastsideoftheriver,butIhavebeenafugitiveonthewatersforsomefiveyears,becauseIslewaruffianwho,sincehewaswealthyandpowerful,wasabully.Ihavecometojointhearmyhere."ThenLiuBeitoldGuanYuhisownintentions,andallthreewentawaytoZhangFei'sfarmwheretheycouldtalkoverthegrandproject.SaidZhangFei,"Thepeachtreesintheorchardbehindthehousearejustinfullflower.TomorrowwewillinstituteasacrificethereandsolemnlydeclareourintentionbeforeHeavenandEarth,andwethreewillswearbrotherhoodandunityofaimsandsentiments:Thuswillweenteruponourgreattask."BothLiuBeiandGuanYugladlyagreed.Allthreebeingofonemind,nextdaytheypreparedthesacrifices,ablackox,awhitehorse,andwineforlibation.Beneaththesmokeoftheincenseburningonthealtar,theybowedtheirheadsandrecitedthisoath:"WethreeLiuBei,GuanYu,andZhangFeithoughofdifferentfamilies,swearbrotherhood,andpromisemutualhelptooneend.Wewillrescueeachotherindifficulty;wewillaideachotherindanger.Wesweartoservethestateandsavethepeople.Weasknotthesamedayofbirth,butweseektodietogether.MayHeaven,theall-ruling,andEarth,theall-producing,readourhearts.Ifweturnasidefromrighteousnessorforgetkindliness,mayHeavenandHumansmiteus!"Theyrosefromtheirknees.ThetwoothersbowedbeforeLiuBeiastheirelderbrother,andZhangFeiwastobetheyoungestofthetrio.Thissolemnceremonyperformed,theyslewotheroxenandmadeafeasttowhichtheyinvitedthevillagers.Threehundredjoinedthem,andallfeastedanddrankdeepinthePeachGarden.Thenextdayweaponsweremustered.Buttherewerenohorsestoride.Thiswasarealgrief.Butsoontheywerecheeredbythearrivaloftwohorsedealerswithadroveofhorses."ThusdoesHeavenhelpus!"saidLiuBei.Andthethreebrotherswentforthtowelcomethemerchants.TheywereZhangShipingandSuShuangfromZhongshan.Theywentnorthwardseveryyeartobuyhorses.TheywerenowontheirwayhomebecauseoftheYellowScarves.Thebrothersinvitedthemtothefarm,wherewinewasservedbeforethem.ThenLiuBeitoldthemoftheplantostrivefortranquillity.ZhangShipingandSuShuangweregladandatoncegavethebrothersfiftygoodsteeds,andbeside,fivehundredouncesofgoldandsilverandonethousandfivehundredpoundsofsteelfitfortheforgingofweapons.Thebrothersexpressedtheirgratitude,andthemerchantstooktheirleave.Thenblacksmithsweresummonedtoforgeweapons.ForLiuBeitheymadeapairofancientswords;forGuanYutheyfashionedalong-handled,curvebladecalledGreen-DragonSaber,whichweighedafullonehundredtwentypounds;andforZhangFeitheycreatedaten-footspearcalledSerpentHalberd.Eachtoohadahelmetandfullarmor.Whenweaponswereready,thetroop,nowfivehundredstrong,marchedtoCommanderZhouJing,whopresentedthemtoImperialProtectorLiuYan.Whentheceremonyofintroductionwasover,LiuBeideclaredhisancestry,andLiuYanatonceaccordedhimtheesteemduetoarelation.Beforemanydaysitwasannouncedthattherebellionhadactuallybrokenout,andaYellowScarveschieftain,ChengYuanzhi,hadinvadedtheregionwithabodyoffiftythousandrebels.LiuYanbadeZhouJingandthethreebrotherstogoouttoopposethemwiththefivehundredtroops.LiuBeijoyfullyundertooktoleadthevanandmarchedtothefootoftheDaxingHillswheretheysawtherebels.Therebelsworetheirhairflyingabouttheirshoulders,andtheirforeheadswereboundwithyellowscarves.Whenthetwoarmieshadbeendrawnupoppositeeachother,LiuBeirodetothefront,GuanYutohisleft,ZhangFeitohisright.Flourishinghiswhip,LiuBeibegantohurlreproachesattherebels,crying,"Omalcontents!Whynotdismountandbebound?"TheirleaderChengYuanzhi,fullofrage,sentoutonegeneral,DengMao,tobeginthebattle.AtoncerodeforwardZhangFei,hisserpenthalberdpoisedtostrike.OnethrustandDengMaorolledoffhishorse,piercedthroughtheheart.AtthisChengYuanzhihimselfwhippeduphissteedandrodeforthwithswordraisedreadytoslayZhangFei.ButGuanYuswunguphisponderousgreen-dragonsaberandrodeatChengYuanzhi.Atthesight,fearseizeduponChengYuanzhi,andbeforehecoulddefendhimself,thegreatsaberfell,cuttinghiminhalves.[hip,hip,hip]

Twoheroesnewtowar'salarms,

Rideboldlyforthtotrytheirarms.

Theirdoughtydeedsthreekingdomstell,

Andpoetssinghowthesebefell.

[yip,yip,yip]Theirleaderfallen,therebelsthrewawaytheirweaponsandfled.Theofficialsoldiersdashedinamongthem.Manythousandssurrenderedandthevictorywascomplete.Thusthispartoftherebellionwasbrokenup.Ontheirreturn,LiuYanpersonallymetthemanddistributedrewards.Butthenextday,letterscamefromImperialProtectorGongJingofQingzhouRegionsayingthattherebelswerelayingsiegetothechiefcityanditwasnearfalling.Helpwasneededquickly."Iwillgo,"saidLiuBeiassoonasheheardthenews.Andhesetoutatoncewithhisownsoldiers,reinforcedbyabodyoffivethousandunderZhouJing.Therebels,seeinghelpcoming,atonceattackedmostfiercely.Therelievingforcebeingcomparativelysmallcouldnotprevailandretiredsometenmiles,wheretheymadeacamp."Theyaremanyandwebutfew,"saidLiuBeitohisbrothers."Wecanonlybeatthembysuperiorstrategy."Sotheypreparedanambush.GuanYuandZhangFei,eachwithagoodlyparty,wentbehindthehills,rightandleft,andtherehid.Whenthegongsbeattheyweretomoveouttosupportthemainarmy.Thesepreparationsmade,thedrumsrollednoisilyforLiuBeitoadvance.Therebelsalsocameforward.ButLiuBeisuddenlyretired.Thinkingthiswastheirchance,therebelspressedforwardandwereledoverthehills.Thensuddenlythegongssoundedfortheambush.GuanYuandZhangFeipouredoutfromrightandleftasLiuBeifacedaroundtomeettherebels.Underthree-sideattack,therebelslostheavilyandfledtothewallsofQingzhouCity.ButImperialProtectorGongJingledoutanarmedbodytoattackthem,andtherebelswereentirelydefeatedandmanyslain.Qingzhouwasnolongerindanger.[hip,hip,hip]

Thoughfierceastigerssoldiersbe,

Battlearewonbystrategy.

Aherocomes;hegainsrenown,

Alreadydestinedforacrown.

[yip,yip,yip]Afterthecelebrationsinhonorofvictorywereover,CommanderZhouJingproposedtoreturntoYouzhou.ButLiuBeisaid,"WeareinformedthatImperialCommanderLuZhihasbeenstrugglingwithahordeofrebelsledbyZhangJueatGuangzong.LuZhiwasoncemyteacher,andIwanttogohelphim."SoLiuBeiandZhouJingseparated,andthethreebrotherswiththeirtroopsmadetheirwaytoGuangzong.TheyfoundLuZhi'scamp,wereadmittedtohispresence,anddeclaredthereasonoftheircoming.TheCommanderreceivedthemwithgreatjoy,andtheyremainedwithhimwhilehemadehisplans.AtthattimeZhangJue'sonehundredfiftythousandtroopsandLuZhi'sfiftythousandtroopswerefacingeachother.Neitherhadhadanysuccess.LuZhisaidtoLiuBei,"Iamabletosurroundtheserebelshere.Buttheothertwobrothers,ZhangBaandZhangLian,arestronglyentrenchedoppositeHuangfuSongandZhuJunatYingchuan.Iwillgiveyouathousandmoretroops,andwiththeseyoucangotofindoutwhatishappening,andwecanthensettlethemomentforconcertedattack."SoLiuBeisetoffandmarchedasquicklyaspossibletoYingchuan.Atthattimetheimperialtroopswereattackingwithsuccess,andtherebelshadretireduponChangshe.Theyhadencampedamongthethickgrass.Seeingthis,HuangfuSongsaidtoZhuJun,"Therebelsarecampinginthefield.Wecanattackthembyfire."SotheImperialCommandersbadeeverymancutabundleofdrygrassandlaidanambush.Thatnightthewindblewagale,andatthesecondwatchtheystartedablaze.AtthesametimeHuangfuSongandZhuJun'stroopsattackedtherebelsandsettheircamponfire.Theflamesrosetotheveryheaven.Therebelswerethrownintogreatconfusion.Therewasnotimetosaddlehorsesordonarmor:Theyfledinalldirections.Thebattlecontinueduntildawn.ZhangLianandZhangBa,withagroupofflyingrebels,foundawayofescape.Butsuddenlyatroopofsoldierswithcrimsonbannersappearedtoopposethem.Theirleaderwasamanofmediumstaturewithsmalleyesandalongbeard.HewasCaoCao,aBeijuoman,holdingtherankofCavalryCommander.HisfatherwasCaoSong,buthewasnotreallyaCao.CaoSonghadbeenborntotheXiahoufamily,buthehadbeenbroughtupbyEunuchCaoTengandhadtakenthisfamilyname.AsayoungmanCaoCaohadbeenfondofhuntinganddelightedinsongsanddancing.Hewasresourcefulandfullofguile.Anuncle,seeingtheyoungfellowsounsteady,usedtogetangrywithhimandtoldhisfatherofhismisdeeds.Hisfatherremonstratedwithhim.ButCaoCaomadeequaltotheoccasion.Oneday,seeinghisunclecoming,hefelltothegroundinapretendedfit.Theunclealarmedrantotellhisfather,whocame,andtherewastheyouthinmostperfecthealth."Butyourunclesaidyouwereinafit.Areyoubetter?"saidhisfather."Ihaveneversufferedfromfitsoranysuchillness,"saidCaoCao."ButIhavelostmyuncle'saffection,andhehasdeceivedyou."Thereafter,whatevertheunclemightsayofhisfaults,hisfatherpaidnoheed.Sotheyoungmangrewuplicentiousanduncontrolled.AmanofthetimenamedQiaoXuansaidtoCaoCao,"Rebellionisathand,andonlyamanofthegreatestabilitycansucceedinrestoringtranquillity.Thatmanisyourself."AndHeYongofNanyangsaidofhim,"ThedynastyofHanisabouttofall.Hewhocanrestorepeaceisthismanandonlyhe."CaoCaowenttoinquirehisfutureofawisemanofRunannamedXuShao."WhatmannerofmanamI?"askedCaoCao.Theseermadenoreply,andagainandagainCaoCaopressedthequestion.ThenXuShaoreplied,"Inpeaceyouareanablesubject;inchaosyouareacraftyhero!"CaoCaogreatlyrejoicedtohearthis.[e]OneoftheTenRegularAttendantsCaoCaograduatedattwentyandearnedareputationofpietyandintegrity.HebeganhiscareerasCommandingOfficerinacountywithintheCapitalDistrict.Inthefourgatesofthecityheguarded,hehungupclubsofvarioussorts,andhewouldpunishanybreachofthelawwhatevertherankoftheoffender.NowanuncleofEunuchJianShuo*wasfoundonenightinthestreetswithaswordandwasarrested.Induecoursehewasbeaten.Thereafternoonedaredtooffendagain,andCaoCao'snamebecameheard.SoonhebecameamagistrateofDunqiu.AttheoutbreakoftheYellowScarves,CaoCaoheldtherankofGeneralandwasgivencommandoffivethousandhorseandfoottohelpfightatYingchuan.Hejusthappenedtofallinwiththenewlydefeatedrebelswhomhecuttopieces.Thousandswereslainandendlessbannersanddrumsandhorseswerecaptured,togetherwithhugesumsofmoney.However,ZhangBaandZhangLiangotaway;andafteraninterviewwithHuangfuSong,CaoCaowentinpursuitofthem.MeanwhileLiuBeiandhisbrotherswerehasteningtowardYingchuan,whentheyheardthedinofbattleandsawflamesrisinghightowardthesky.Buttheyarrivedtoolateforthefighting.TheysawHuangfuSongandZhuJuntowhomtheytoldtheintentionsofLuZhi."Therebelpowerisquitebrokenhere,"saidthecommanders,"buttheywillsurelymakeforGuangzongtojoinZhangJue.Youcandonothingbetterthanhastenback."Thethreebrothersthusretracedtheirsteps.Halfwayalongtheroadtheymetapartyofsoldiersescortingaprisonerinacage-cart.Whentheydrewnear,theysawtheprisonerwasnootherthanLuZhi,themantheyweregoingtohelp.Hastilydismounting,LiuBeiaskedwhathadhappened.LuZhiexplained,"Ihadsurroundedtherebelsandwasonthepointofsmashingthem,whenZhangJueemployedsomeofhissupernaturalpowersandpreventedmyvictory.ThecourtsentdownEunuchZhuoFengtoinquireintomyfailure,andthatofficialdemandedabribe.Itoldhimhowhardpressedwewereandaskedhimwhere,inthecircumstances,Icouldfindagiftforhim.HewentawayinwrathandreportedthatIwashidingbehindmyrampartsandwouldnotgivebattleandthatIdisheartenedmyarmy.SoIwassupersededbyDongZhuo,andIhavetogotothecapitaltoanswerthecharge."ThisstoryputZhangFeiintoarage.HewasforslayingtheescortandsettingfreeLuZhi.ButLiuBeicheckedhim."Thegovernmentwilltaketheduecourse,"saidLiuBei."Youmustnotacthastily!"Andtheescortandthethreebrotherswenttwoways.ItwasuselesstocontinueonthatroadtoGuangzong,soGuanYuproposedtogobacktoZhuo,andtheyretooktheroad.Twodayslatertheyheardthethunderofbattlebehindsomehills.Hasteningtothetop,theybeheldthegovernmentsoldierssufferinggreatloss,andtheysawthecountrysidewasfullofYellowScarves.Ontherebels'bannerswerethewordsZ