Читаем Three Kingdoms Romance полностью

“Good medicine is bitter in the mouth but good for the disease; faithful words offend the ear but are good for the

conduct. Of old King Huai of Chu listened not to Qu Yuan, but attended the meeting at Wu Pass and was captured by the state of Qin. Sir, you are thoughtlessly leaving your place to go to welcome Liu Bei, but I fear there is a way out and none in. Could you but behead Zhang Song in the market place and have nothing to do with this league with Liu Bei, it would be for the happiness of old and young, and assure the safety of yourself.”

Anger rose in Liu Zhang's breast as he read.

“Why do you insult me when I go to meet a kindly man I feel as if I were about to enjoy the delight of seeing brother?”

At this Wang Lei gave a great cry, severed the rope, and fell to the ground battered and dead.

Head downwards at the city gate one hung

A last remonstrance in his outstretched hand.

Resolved that, were his words rejected, he

Would not survive defeat. Sincere was he

Who, desperate, held to Liu Zhang's silken robe

Until his broken teeth released their grip.

Sincere indeed, but how can he compare

With stern Wang Lei who went to awful death?

Liu Zhang with thirty thousand troops went out to welcome his clansman, and there followed one thousand wagons laden with supplies and rich stuffs.

Liu Bei's advanced guard had arrived at River Moonstone. During the march the people had brought presents, and Liu Bei had given an order to pay for everything, under penalty of death for disobedience. Thus no one suffered, and the people came out in trusting crowds to watch the soldiers marching by and welcome them in every way. Liu Bei soothed them with very gracious words.

Then Fa Zheng secretly showed Pang Tong a letter from Zhang Song advocating the assassination of Liu Zhang near the place of welcome.

Pang Tong said, “Say nothing about this; after the two Lius have met, there may be opportunities, but this is too early to talk. Any plot would leak out.”

So nothing was said. Fucheng, where the meeting was to take place, was one hundred twenty miles from Capital Chengdu. Liu Zhang arrived first and sent messengers to welcome Liu Bei. The two armies camped on the bank of River Fu. Liu Bei went into the city to see the Imperial Protector, and they met cordially as brothers should. Both shed a few tears, and by and bye they began a heart-to-heart talk. Then followed a banquet, and after this each returned to his own camp. The Imperial Protector said, “How ridiculous have been proved the fears of Huang Quan and Wang Lei! They do not understand the force of family affection. I see he is really a kindly and noble man, and with him as a support I shall fear neither Cao Cao nor Zhang Lu. And I owe all this to Zhang Song.”

To show his gratitude, Liu Zhang took off the green silken robe he wore and sent it as a gift to Zhang Song, together with five hundred ounces of gold.

However, some of his officers were not so content, and a group of them bade him beware.

“Do not rejoice too soon, O Master,” said they, “for Liu Bei is hard enough within in spite of his mild exterior. You have not sounded him yet and should be on your guard.”

“You are all too anxious;” said Liu Zhang, laughing, “my brother is no double-dealer, I am sure.”

When Liu Bei had returned to his own tent, Pang Tong came in to ask what impression he had of his host of that day.

“He seems a very honest man,” said Liu Bei.

“He is good enough, but some of his servants are discontented at this turn of affairs, and I would not guarantee there will be no murders. If you took my advice, you would have Liu Zhang assassinated at the return banquet. A hundred ruffians behind the arras, a signal from you, and the deed would be accomplished. All that would be needed, then would be a rush on Capital Chengdu. No sword need be drawn, no arrow fitted to the string.”

“He is a brother of my house and has treated me with sincerity. I am a new-comer and so far unknown in this land. Such a deed would be abhorrent to all the world, and these people would resent it. I will not establish myself by such means.”