Yuan Shu, sitting in state, asked for details of the campaign and then invited Sun Ce to the banquet.Īfter the unhappy death of his father Sun Jian, Sun Ce had returned to the lower region of the Great River, where he had devoted himself to peaceful ends, inviting to his side good people and able scholars. Yuan Shu summoned the victor, who made obeisance at the foot of the hall of audience. In Shouchun, Yuan Shu prepared a great banquet for his soldiers when it was announced that Sun Ce had subdued Lu Kang, the Governor of Lujiang. Lü Bu sent presents of food and stuffs, and peace reigned between the two houses. It is the will of Heaven, and one cannot struggle against fate." Said Liu Bei, "One must bow to one's lot. Liu Bei returned and took up his quarters in Xiaopei, but his two brothers would not take the situation kindly and were very discontented. Thereupon Lü Bu wished to retire in favor of Liu Bei who, however, would not hear of it. "But I had long wished to yield it to you," said Liu Bei. He went to escort the two ladies to Xiaopei.Īt the interview Lü Bu said, "I did not wish to take the city, but your brother behaved very badly, drinking and flogging the soldiers, and I came to guard it lest some evil should befall." However, Zhang Fei was not pleased and would not accompany his brothers into the city when they went to express their thanks. "I knew he would not harm my family," said Liu Bei to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. Lü Bu, fearing that Liu Bei might doubt his sincerity, restored Liu Bei's family and when Lady Gan and Lady Mi saw their lord, they told him that they had been kindly treated and guarded by soldiers against any intrusion, and provisions had never been wanting. "Since he treats me kindly, I cannot but trust him," replied Liu Bei. "Such a dishonorable man must have a motive," said Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. He was quite content with the offer, but his brothers were not inclined to trust Lü Bu. When the messenger from Lü Bu came, Liu Bei read the letter. Then Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao will fall before you, and you will be very powerful."įinding this advice good, Lü Bu sent letters to Liu Bei asking him to return.Īfter the flight of Liu Bei, Yuan Shu attacked Guangling and reduced Liu Bei's force by half. Rather ask Liu Bei to take up his quarters at Xiaopei as one of your wings and, when the time comes, let him lead the attack, both south and north. Yuan Shu is in possession of Shouchun and has a large army, well supplied. However, his adviser, Chen Gong, opposed this course, saying, "You should not. Lü Bu railed at what he called the breach of faith and was inclined to attack Yuan Shu himself. "Although Gao Shun had gone to attack Liu Bei, yet Liu Bei had not been destroyed, and no reward could be given till he was actually taken." With this answer Gao Shun returned to Lü Bu, who could not decide what to do. I will settle this as soon as I can see him and get his decision." However, Gao Shun demanded the promised reward through Ji Ling, who put Gao Shun off, saying, "My lord has gone away. But Liu Bei heard of the threatened attack, so he made inclement weather an excuse to moved his few soldiers out of Xuyi for Guangling, before the attacking force came up.
Lü Bu swallowed the bait and ordered Gao Shun to lead forth fifty thousand troops. The presents are said to have been fifty thousand carts of grain, five hundred horses, ten thousand ounces of gold and silver, and a thousand rolls of colored silk. His brothers were much affected and their tears fell in sympathy.Īs soon as the news of Lü Bu's successful seizure of his protector's region reached Yuan Shu, Yuan Shu sent promises of valuable presents to Lü Bu to induce him to join in a further attack on Liu Bei. You made a mistake, worthy brother, but is it one deserving of death?"Īnd Liu Bei wept. Beside, Xuzhou was not really ours, and Lü Bu will not harm my family but will rather seek to preserve them. The city is lost, it is true, and my wives and little ones, but I could not bear that we should die ere our course be run. You may mend your torn dress, but who can reattach a lost limb? We three, by the Oath of the Peach Garden, swore to seek the same death day. In the last chapter it was recorded that Zhang Fei was about to end his life with his own weapon in Xuyi.īut Liu Bei rushed forward and caught Zhang Fei in his arms, snatched away the sword, and threw it on the earth, saying, "Brothers are as hands and feet wives and children are as clothing. Chapter 15 Taishi Ci Fights With The Little Prince
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