← 三Sān国Guó演Yǎn义Yì · Romance of the Three Kingdoms

第dì八bā回huí 王wáng司sī徒tú巧qiǎo使shǐ连lián环huán计jì　　董dǒng太tài师shī大dà闹nào凤fèng仪yí亭tíng

8-1

却què说shuō蒯kuǎi良liáng曰yuē「今jīn孙sūn坚jiān已yǐ丧sàng其qí子zi皆jiē幼yòu。乘chéng此cǐ虚xū弱ruò之zhī时shí火huǒ速sù进jìn军jūn江jiāng东dōng一yī鼓gú可kě得dé。若ruò还hái尸shī罢bà兵bīng容róng其qí养yǎng成chéng气qì力lì荆jīng州zhōu之zhī患huàn也yě。」表biǎo曰yuē「吾wú有yǒu黄huáng祖zǔ在zài彼bǐ营yíng中zhōng安ān忍rěn弃qì之zhī」良liáng曰yuē「舍shě一yī无wú谋móu黄huáng祖zǔ而ér取qǔ江jiāng东dōng有yǒu何hé不bù可kě」表biǎo曰yuē「吾wú与yǔ黄huáng祖zǔ心xīn腹fù之zhī交jiāo舍shě之zhī不bú义yì。」

This is what Kʻuai Liang said, “Sun Chien is now gone and his sons are but youths. Seize this moment of weakness to break into Chiangtung and it is yours in one beat of the drum. If you return the corpse and make peace, you give them time to grow powerful and evil will ensue to this district.” “How can I leave Huang Tsu in their hands?” said the Prefect. “Why not sacrifice this blundering warrior for a district?” “But he is my dear friend and to abandon him is wrong.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-2

遂suì送sòng桓huán楷kǎi回huí营yíng，相xiāng约yuē以yǐ孙sūn坚jiān尸shī换huàn黄huáng祖zǔ。刘liú表biǎo换huàn回huí黄huáng祖zǔ，孙sūn策cè迎yíng接jiē灵líng柩jiù，罢bà战zhàn回huí江jiāng东dōng，葬zàng父fù于yú麹qū阿ā之zhī原yuán。丧sāng事shì已yǐ毕bì，引yǐn军jūn居jū江jiāng都dū，招zhāo贤xián纳nà士shì，屈qū己jǐ待dài人rén，四sì方fāng豪háo杰jié，渐jiàn渐jiàn投tóu之zhī不bú在zài话huà下xià。

So Huan K‘ai was allowed to return to his own side with the understanding that Sun Chien’s dead body should be given in exchange. Sun Ts‘ê freed his prisoner, brought away his father’s coffin and the fighting ceased. Sun Chien was interred in the border of Chüa and when the ceremonies were over Sun Ts‘ê led his army home again. In his district Sun Ts‘ê set himself to the task of ruling well. He invited to his side men of wisdom and valour and so bore himself that all the best and bravest of the country gathered about him.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-3

却què说shuō董dǒng卓zhuó在zài长cháng安ān，闻wén孙sūn坚jiān已yí死sǐ，乃nǎi曰yuē：「吾wú除chú却què一yī心xīn腹fù之zhī患huàn也yě！」问wèn：「其qí子zi年nián几jǐ岁suì矣yǐ？」或huò答dá曰yuē：「十shí七qī岁suì。」卓zhuó遂suì不bù以yǐ为wéi意yì。自zì此cǐ愈yù加jiā骄jiāo横hèng，自zì号hào为wèi「尚shàng父fù」，出chū入rù僭jiàn天tiān子zi仪yí仗zhàng；封fēng弟dì董dǒng旻mín为wèi左zuǒ将jiāng军jūn鄠hù侯hóu，姪zhí董dǒng璜huáng为wèi侍shì中zhōng，总zóng领lǐng禁jìn军jūn。董dǒng氏shì宗zōng族zú，不bú问wèn长zhǎng幼yòu，皆jiē封fēng列liè侯hóu。

But this part of his story will not be told here. Tung Cho at the capital, when he heard of the death of the turbulent prefect, said, “An evil that pressed hard upon my heart has been removed.” He asked what sons he had left and when they told him the eldest was but seventeen he dismissed all anxiety from his thoughts.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-4

离lí长cháng安ān城chéng二èr百bái五wǔ十shí里lǐ，别bié筑zhù郿méi坞wù，役yì民mín夫fū二èr十shí五wǔ万wàn人rén筑zhù之zhī；其qí城chéng郭guō高gāo下xià厚hòu薄bó一yī如rú长cháng安ān，内nèi盖gài宫gōng室shì仓cāng库kù，屯tún积jī二èr十shí年nián粮liáng食shí。选xuǎn民mín间jiān少shào年nián美méi女nǚ八bā百bǎi人rén实shí其qí中zhōng。金jīn玉yù、彩cǎi帛bó、珍zhēn珠zhū堆duī积jī不bù知zhī其qí数shù。家jiā属shǔ都dōu住zhù在zài内nèi。卓zhuó往wǎng来lái长cháng安ān，或huò半bàn月yuè一yī回huí，或huò一yí月yuè一yī回huí，公gōng卿qīng皆jiē候hòu送sòng于yú横héng门mén外wài。

From this time forward his arrogance and domineering spirit waxed worse and worse. He styled himself Shang Fu or “Imperial Rector,” a name full of honour, and in all his behaviour aped imperial state. He created his younger brother a marquis and made him Generalissimo of the Left. A nephew was placed in command of the Palace guards and everyone of his clan, young or old, was ennobled. At some distance from the capital he laid out a city, an exact replica of Ch‘angan, with its palaces, granaries, treasuries and magazines, and employed a quarter of a million people to build it. Here he accumulated supplies sufficient for twenty years. He selected eight hundred of the most beautiful maidens and sent them to dwell in his new city. The stores of wealth in every form were incalculable. All his family and retainers found quarters in this new city named Meiwu. Tung Cho visited his city at intervals of a month or so and every visit was like an imperial progress, with booths by the roadside to refresh the officials and courtiers who attended him to the Hêngmên and saw him start.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-5

董dǒng卓zhuó常cháng设shè帐zhàng于yú路lù，与yǔ公gōng卿qīng聚jù饮yǐn。一yī日rì，卓zhuó出chū横héng门mén，百bǎi官guān皆jiē送sòng。卓zhuó留liú宴yàn，适shì北běi地dì招zhāo安ān降jiàng卒zú数shù百bǎi人rén到dào。卓zhuó即jí命mìng于yú座zuò前qián，或huò断duàn其qí手shǒu足zú，或huò凿záo其qí眼yǎn睛jīng，或huò割gē其qí舌shé，或huò以yǐ大dà锅guō煮zhǔ之zhī。哀āi号háo之zhī声shēng震zhèn天tiān，百bǎi官guān战zhàn栗lì失shī箸zhù，卓zhuó饮yǐn食shí谈tán笑xiào自zì若ruò。又yòu一yī日rì，卓zhuó于yú省shěng台tái大dà会huì百bǎi官guān，列liè坐zuò两liǎng行xíng。

On one occasion he spread a great feast for all those assembled to witness his departure and while it was in progress there arrived a large number of malcontents from the north who had voluntarily surrendered. The tyrant had them brought before him as he sat at table and meted out to them wanton cruelties. The hands of this one were lopped off, the feet of that; one had his eyes gouged out; another lost his tongue. Some were boiled to death. Shrieks of agony arose to the very heavens and the courtiers were faint with terror, but the author of the misery ate and drank, chatted and smiled as if nothing was going on.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-6

酒jiǔ至zhì数shù巡xún，吕lǚ布bú迳jìng入rù，向xiàng卓zhuó耳ěr边biān言yán不bú数shù句jù，卓zhuó笑xiào曰yuē：「原yuán来lái如rú此cǐ。」命mìng吕lǚ布bù于yú筵yán上shàng揪jiū司sī空kōng张zhāng温wēn下xià堂táng。百bǎi官guān失shī色sè。不bù多duō时shí，侍shì从cóng将jiāng一yī红hóng盘pán，托tuō张zhāng温wēn头tóu入rù献xiàn。百bǎi官guān魂hún不bú附fù体tǐ。卓zhuó笑xiào曰yuē：「诸zhū公gōng勿wù惊jīng。张zhāng温wēn结jié连lián袁yuán术shù，欲yù图tú害hài我wǒ。因yīn使shǐ人rén寄jì书shū来lái，错cuò下xià在zài吾wú儿ér奉fèng先xiān处chù，故gù斩zhǎn之zhī。

Another day Tung Cho was presiding at a great gathering of officers who were seated in two long rows. After the wine had gone up and down several times Lü Pu entered and whispered a few words in his master’s ear. Cho smiled and said, “He was always so. Take Chang Wên outside.” The others all turned pale. In a little time a serving man brought the head of their fellow guest on a red dish and showed it to their host. They nearly died with fright. “Do not fear,” said Cho smiling. “He was in league with Yüan Shu to assassinate me. A letter he wrote fell by mistake into the hands of my son so I have had him put to death. You gentlemen, who have no reason, need have no fear.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-7

公gōng等děng无wú故gù，不bú必bì惊jīng畏wèi。」众zhòng官guān唯wéi唯wéi而ér散sàn。

“Do not fear,” said Cho smiling. “He was in league with Yüan Shu to assassinate me. A letter he wrote fell by mistake into the hands of my son so I have had him put to death. You gentlemen, who have no reason, need have no fear.” The officials hastened to disperse. One of them, Governor Wang Yün, who had witnessed all this, returned to his palace very pensive and much distressed. The same evening, a bright moonlight night, he took his staff and went strolling in his private garden. Standing near one of the creeper trellises he gazed up at the sky and the tears rolled down his cheeks. Suddenly he heard a rustle in the peony pavilion and some one sighing deeply. Stealthily creeping near he saw there one of the household singing girls named Tiaoch‘an or Sable Cicada.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-8

司sī徒tú王wáng允yǔn归guī到dào府fǔ中zhōng，寻xín思sī今jīn日rì席xí间jiān之zhī事shì，坐zuò不bù安ān席xí。至zhì夜yè深shēn月yuè明míng，策cè杖zhàng步bú入rù后hòu园yuán，立lì于yú荼tú蘼mí架jià侧cè，仰yǎng天tiān垂chuí泪lèi。忽hū闻wén有yǒu人rén在zài牡mǔ丹dān亭tíng畔pàn，长cháng吁xū短duǎn叹tàn。允yǔn潜qián步bù窥kuī之zhī，乃nái府fǔ中zhōng歌gē伎jì貂diāo蝉chán也yě。其qí女nǚ自zì幼yòu选xuǎn入rù府fǔ中zhōng，教jiào以yǐ歌gē舞wǔ，年nián方fāng二èr八bā，色sè伎jì俱jù佳jiā，允yún以yǐ亲qīn女nǚ待dài之zhī。

The officials hastened to disperse. One of them, Governor Wang Yün, who had witnessed all this, returned to his palace very pensive and much distressed. The same evening, a bright moonlight night, he took his staff and went strolling in his private garden. Standing near one of the creeper trellises he gazed up at the sky and the tears rolled down his cheeks. Suddenly he heard a rustle in the peony pavilion and some one sighing deeply. Stealthily creeping near he saw there one of the household singing girls named Tiaoch‘an or Sable Cicada. This maiden had been brought up in his palace, where she had been taught to sing and dance. She was then just bursting into womanhood, a pretty and clever girl whom Wang Yün regarded more as a daughter than a dependant.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-9

是shì夜yè允yǔn听tīng良liáng久jiǔ，喝hē曰yuē：「贱jiàn人rén将jiāng有yǒu私sī情qíng耶yé？」貂diāo蝉chán惊jīng跪guì答dá曰yuē：「贱jiàn妾qiè安ān敢gán有yǒu私sī！」允yǔn曰yuē：「无wú私sī，何hé夜yè深shēn长cháng叹tàn？」蝉chán曰yuē：「容róng妾qiè伸shēn肺fèi腑fǔ之zhī言yán。」允yǔn曰yuē：「汝rǔ勿wù隐yǐn匿nì，当dāng实shí告gào我wǒ。」蝉chán曰yuē：「妾qiè蒙méng大dà人rén恩ēn养yǎng，训xùn习xí歌gē舞wǔ，优yōu礼lǐ相xiāng待dài，妾qiè虽suī粉fěn身shēn碎suì骨gǔ，莫mò报bào万wàn一yī。

After listening for some time he suddenly called out, “What mischief are you up to there, you naughty girl?” The maiden dropped on her knees in terror, “Would thy unworthy handmaid dare to do anything wrong?” said she. “Then what are you sighing about out here in the darkness?” “May thy handmaid speak from the bottom of her heart?” “Tell me the whole truth; do not conceal anything.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-10

近jìn见jiàn大dà人rén两liǎng眉méi愁chóu锁suǒ，必bì有yǒu国guó家jiā大dà事shì，又yòu不bù敢gǎn问wèn。今jīn晚wǎn又yòu见jiàn行xíng坐zuò不bù安ān，因yīn此cǐ长cháng叹tàn﹔不bù想xiǎng为wéi大dà人rén窥kuī见jiàn。倘táng有yǒu用yòng妾qiè之zhī处chù，万wàn死sǐ不bù辞cí。」允yún以yǐ杖zhàng击jī地dì曰yuē：「谁shuí想xiǎng汉hàn天tiān下xià却què在zài汝rú手shǒu中zhōng耶yé！随suí我wǒ到dào划huà阁gé中zhōng来lái。」

And the girl said, “Thy handmaid has been the recipient of bountiful kindness. She has been taught to sing and dance and been treated so kindly that were she torn in pieces for her lord’s sake it would not repay a thousandth part. She has noticed lately that her lord’s brows have been knit in distress and knows it is on account of the State troubles. But she has not dared to ask. This evening he seemed more sad than ever and she was miserable on her lord’s account. But she did not know she would be seen. Could she be of any use she would not shrink from a myriad deaths.” Asudden idea came to Wang and he stuck the ground with his staff. “Who would think that the fate of the Hans lay on your palm? Come with me!”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-11

貂diāo蝉chán跟gēn王wáng允yǔn到dào阁gé中zhōng，允yún侭jǐn叱chì出chū婢bì妾qiè，纳nà貂diāo蝉chán于yú坐zuò，叩kòu头tóu便biàn拜bài。貂diāo蝉chán惊jīng伏fú于yú地dì曰yuē：「大dà人rén何hé故gù如rú此cǐ？」允yǔn曰yuē：「汝rú可kě怜lián大dà汉hàn天tiān下xià生shēng灵líng！」言yán讫qì，泪lèi如rú泉quán涌yǒng。貂diāo蝉chán曰yuē：「适shì间jiān贱jiàn妾qiè曾céng言yán：但dàn有yóu使shǐ令lìng，万wàn死sǐ不bù辞cí。」允yǔn跪guì而ér言yán曰yuē：「百bǎi姓xìng有yǒu倒dào悬xuán之zhī危wēi，君jūn臣chén有yóu累léi卵luǎn之zhī急jí，非fēi汝rǔ不bù能néng救jiù也yě。

The girl followed him into the house. Then he summoned all the waiting women and girls, placed Sable Cicada on a chair and bowed before her. She was frightened and threw herself on the ground, asking in terror what it all meant. Said he, “You can sympathise with the people of Han,” and the fount of his tears opened afresh. “As I said just now, use me in any way; I will never shrink,” said the girl.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-12

贼zéi臣chén董dǒng卓zhuó，将jiāng欲yù篡cuàn位wèi；朝cháo中zhōng文wén武wǔ，无wú计jì可kě施shī。董dǒng卓zhuó有yǒu一yī义yì儿ér，姓xìng吕lǚ，名míng布bù，骁xiāo勇yǒng异yì常cháng。我wǒ看kàn二èr人rén皆jiē好hào色sè之zhī徒tú，今jīn欲yù用yòng连lián环huán计jì：先xiān将jiāng汝rú许xǔ嫁jià吕lǚ布bú，后hòu献xiàn与yú董dǒng卓zhuó；汝rǔ于yú中zhōng取qǔ便biàn，谋móu间jiān他tā父fù子zí反fǎn颜yán，令lìng布bù杀shā卓zhuó，以yǐ绝jué大dà𫫇ě。重zhòng扶fú社shè稷jì，再zài立lì江jiāng山shān，皆jiē汝rǔ之zhī力lì也yě。不bù知zhī汝rǔ意yì若ruò何hé？

Wang Yün knelt saying, “The people are on the brink of destruction, the prince and his officers are in jeopardy, and you, you are the only saviour. That wretch Tung Cho wants to depose the Emperor and not a man among us can find means to stop him. Now he has a son, a bold warrior it is true, but both father and son have a weakness for beauty and I am going to use what I may call the “chain” plan. I shall first propose you in marriage to Lü Pu and then, after you are betrothed, I shall present you to Tung Cho and you will take every opportunity to force them asunder and turn away their countenances from each other, cause the son to kill his adopted father and so put an end to the great evil. Thus you may restore the altars of the land that it may live again. All this lies within your power; will you do it?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-13

」貂diāo蝉chán曰yuē：「妾qiè许xǔ大dà人rén万wàn死sǐ不bù辞cí，望wàng即jí献xiàn妾qiè与yú彼bǐ。妾qiè自zì有yǒu道dào理lǐ。」允yǔn曰yuē：「事shì若ruò泄xiè漏lòu，我wǒ灭miè门mén矣yǐ。」貂diāo蝉chán曰yuē：「大dà人rén勿wù忧yōu。妾qiè若ruò不bú报bào大dà义yì，死sǐ于yú万wàn刃rèn之zhī下xià。」

“Thy handmaid has promised not to recoil from death itself. You may use my poor self in any way and I must do my best.” “But if this gets abroad then we are all lost!” “Fear not,” said she, “if thy handmaid does not show gratitude, may she perish beneath a myriad swords!”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-14

王wáng允yǔn拜bài谢xiè。次cì日rì，便biàn将jiāng家jiā藏cáng明míng珠zhū数shù颗kē，令lìng良liáng匠jiàng嵌qiàn造zào金jīn冠guān一yī顶dǐng，使shǐ人rén密mì送sòng吕lǚ布bú。布bú大dà喜xǐ，亲qīn到dào王wáng允yǔn宅zhái致zhì谢xiè。允yún顶dǐng备bèi嘉jiā殽xiáo美měi馔zhuàn；候hòu吕lǚ布bú至zhì，允yǔn出chū门mén迎yíng迓yà，接jiē入rù后hòu堂táng，延yán之zhī上shàng坐zuò。布bù曰yuē：「吕lǚ布bù乃nǎi相xiāng府fǔ一yī将jiāng，司sī徒tú是shì朝cháo廷tíng大dà臣chén，何hé故gù错cuò敬jìng？」允yǔn曰yuē：「方fāng今jīn天tiān下xià别bié无wú英yīng雄xióng，惟wéi有yǒu将jiāng军jūn耳ěr。

“Thank you, thank you!” said Wang Yün. Then they took from the family treasury many pearls and bade a cunning jeweler make therewith a fine golden headdress which was sent as a present to Lü Pu. He was delighted and came to thank the donor. When he arrived he was met at the gate by the host himself and within found a table full of dainties for his delectation. He was conducted into the private apartments and placed in the seat of honour. He said, “I am but a simple officer in the palace of a minister; you are an exalted officer of State, why am I treated thus?” “Because in the whole land there is no warrior your equal. Poor Yün bows not to an officer’s rank; he bows to his ability.” This gratified Lü Pu mightily and his host continued to praise and flatter and ply him with wine and to talk of the virtues of the minister and his henchman.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-15

允yǔn非fēi敬jìng将jiāng军jūn之zhī职zhí，敬jìng将jiāng军jūn之zhī才cái也yě。」布bú大dà喜xǐ。允yǔn慇yīn懃qín敬jìng酒jiǔ，口kǒu称chēng董dǒng太tài师shī并bìng布bù之zhī德dé不bù绝jué。布bú大dà笑xiào畅chàng饮yǐn。允yǔn叱chì退tuì左zuǒ右yòu，只zhǐ留liú待dài妾qiè数shù人rén劝quàn酒jiǔ。酒jiǔ至zhì半bàn酣hān，允yǔn曰yuē：「唤huàn孩hái儿ér来lái。」少sháo顷qǐng，二èr青qīng衣yī引yǐn貂diāo蝉chán艳yàn妆zhuāng而ér出chū。布bù惊jīng问wèn何hé人rén。允yǔn曰yuē：「小xiáo女nǚ貂diāo蝉chán也yě。

Lü Pu laughed and drank huge goblets. Presently most of the attendants were sent away, only a few kept to press the guest to drink. When the guest was very mellow Wang Yün suddenly said, “Let the child come in!” Soon appeared two attendants, dressed in black, leading between them the exquisite and fascinating Sable Cicada. “Who is this?” said Lü Pu startled into sobriety.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-16

」布bù惊jīng问wèn何hé人rén。允yǔn曰yuē「小xiáo女nǚ貂diāo蝉chán也yě。允yǔn蒙méng将jiāng军jūn错cuò爱ài不bú异yì至zhì亲qīn故gù令lìng其qí与yǔ将jiāng军jūn相xiāng见jiàn。」便biàn命mìng貂diāo蝉chán与yú吕lǚ布bù把bá盏zhǎn。貂diāo蝉chán送sòng酒jiú与yǔ布bù两liǎng下xià眉méi来lái眼yǎn去qù。允yǔn佯yáng醉zuì曰yuē「孩hái儿ér央yāng及jí将jiāng军jūn痛tòng饮yín几jǐ杯bēi。吾wú一yī家jiā全quán靠kào著zhù将jiāng军jūn哩lī。」布bù请qǐng貂diāo蝉chán坐zuò貂diāo蝉chán假jiǎ意yì欲yù入rù。允yǔn曰yuē「将jiāng军jūn吾wú之zhī至zhì友yǒu孩hái儿ér便biàn坐zuò何hé妨fáng」貂diāo蝉chán便biàn坐zuò于yú允yǔn侧cè。

“This is my little girl, Cicada. You will not be annoyed at my familiarity, will you? But you have been so very friendly, I thought you would like to see her.” He bade the girl present a goblet of wine and her eyes met those of the warrior. The host feigning intoxication said, “The little one begs you, Commandant, to take a cup or two. We all depend upon you, all our house.” Lü Pu begged the girl to sit down. She pretended to wish to retire. Her master pressed her to remain, saying that she might do so since the guest was a dear friend. So she took a seat modestly near her master.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-17

吕lǚ布bú目mù不bù转zhuǎn睛jīng的de看kàn。又yòu饮yǐn数shù杯bēi允yún指zhǐ蝉chán谓wèi布bù曰yuē「吾wú欲yù将jiāng此cí女nǚ送sòng与yǔ将jiāng军jūn为wèi妾qiè还hái肯kěn纳nà否fǒu」布bù出chū席xí谢xiè曰yuē「若ruò得dé如rú此cǐ布bù当dāng效xiào犬quán马mǎ之zhī报bào。」允yǔn曰yuē「早záo晚wán选xuǎn一yī良liáng辰chén送sòng至zhì府fǔ中zhōng。」布bù欣xīn喜xǐ无wú限xiàn频pín以yǐ目mù视shì貂diāo蝉chán。貂diāo蝉chán亦yì以yǐ秋qiū波bō送sòng情qíng。

Lü Pu kept his gaze fixed upon the maid while he swallowed cup after cup of wine. “I should like to present her to you as a handmaid; would you accept?” The guest started up. “If that is so you may rely upon my abject gratitude,” said he. “We will choose a propitious day ere long and send her to the palace.” Lü Pu was over-joyed. He could not keep his eyes off the girl and loving glances flashed from her liquid orbs.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-18

少sháo顷qǐng席xí散sàn，允yǔn曰yuē：「本běn欲yù留liú将jiāng军jūn止zhǐ宿sù，恐kǒng太tài师shī见jiàn疑yí。」布bú再zài三sān拜bài谢xiè而ér去qù。

However the time came for the guest to leave and Wang said, “I would ask you to remain the night but the Minister might suspect something.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-19

过guò了le数shù日rì，王wáng允yǔn在zài朝cháo堂táng，见jiàn了le董dǒng卓zhuó，趁chèn吕lǚ布bú不bú在zài侧cè，伏fú地dì拜bài请qǐng曰yuē：「王wáng允yǔn欲yù屈qū太tài师shī车chē骑qí，到dào草cáo舍shě赴fù宴yàn，未wèi审shěn钧jūn意yì若ruò何hé？」卓zhuó曰yuē：「司sī徒tú见jiàn招zhāo，即jí当dāng趋qū赴fù。」允yǔn拜bài谢xiè归guī家jiā，水shuǐ陆lù毕bì陈chén，于yú前qián厅tīng正zhèng中zhōng设shè座zuò，锦jǐn绣xiù铺pù地dì，内nèi外wài各gè设shè幔màn帐zhàng。次cì日rì晌sháng午wǔ，董dǒng卓zhuó来lái到dào。

The guest thanked him again and again and departed. Some few days later when Wang Yün was at court and Lü Pu was absent he bowed low before Tung Cho and said, “I would that you would deign to come to dine at my lowly cottage, could your noble thought bend that way!” “Should you invite me I would certainly hasten,” was the reply.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-20

允yǔn具jù朝cháo服fú出chū迎yíng，再zài拜bài起qǐ居jū。卓zhuó下xià车chē，左zuǒ右yòu持chí戟jí甲jiǎ士shì百bǎi余yú，簇cù拥yōng入rù堂táng，分fēn列liè两liǎng傍bàng。允yǔn于yú堂táng下xià再zài拜bài，卓zhuó命mìng扶fú上shàng，赐cì坐zuò于yú侧cè。允yǔn曰yuē：「太tài师shī盛shèng德dé巍wēi巍wēi，伊yī、周zhōu不bù能néng及jí也yě。」卓zhuó大dà喜xǐ。进jìn酒jiǔ作zuò乐lè，允yǔn极jí其qí致zhì敬jìng。天tiān晚wán酒jiǔ酣hān，允yún请qǐng卓zhuó入rù后hòu堂táng。卓zhuó叱chì退tuì甲jiǎ士shì。

Wang Yün thanked him. He went home and prepared in the reception hall a feast in which figured every delicacy from land and sea. Beautiful embroideries surrounded the chief seat in the centre and elegant curtains were hung within and without. At noon next day, when the Minister arrived, his host met him at the gate in full court costume. He stood by while Tung Cho stepped out of his chariot and he and a host of armed guards crowded into the hall. Tung Cho took his seat at the top, his suite fell into two lines right and left, while the host stood humbly at the lower end. Tung Cho bade his people conduct Wang to a place beside himself. Said Wang, “The great minister’s abundant virtue is as the high mountains; neither I Yin nor Duke Chou could attain thereto.” Tung Cho smiled. They bore in the dishes and the wine and the music began. Wang Yün plied his guest with assiduous flattery and studied deference. When it grew late and the wine had done its work the guest was invited to the inner chamber. So he sent away his guards and went. Here the host raised a goblet and drank to his guest saying “From my youth up I have understood something of astrology and have been studying the aspect of the heavens. I read that the days of Han are numbered and that the great Minister’s merits command the regard of all the world as when Shun succeeded Yao and Yü continued the work of Shun, conforming to the mind of heaven and the desire of man.” “How dare I expect this?” said Cho. “From the days of old those who walk in the way have replaced those who deviate therefrom; those who lack virtue have fallen before those who possess it. Can one escape fate?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-21

允yún捧pěng觞shāng称chēng贺hè曰yuē：「允yǔn自zì幼yòu颇pǒ习xí天tiān文wén，夜yè观guān干gàn象xiàng，汉hàn家jiā气qì数shù已yí侭jǐn。太tài师shī功gōng德dé振zhèn于yú天tiān下xià，若ruò舜shùn之zhī受shòu尧yáo，禹yǔ之zhī继jì舜shùn，正zhèng合hé天tiān心xīn人rén意yì。」卓zhuó曰yuē：「安ān敢gǎn望wàng此cǐ！」允yǔn曰yuē：「自zì古gǔ『有yǒu道dào伐fá无wú道dào，无wú德dé让ràng有yǒu德dé』，岂qǐ过guò分fèn乎hū？」卓zhuó笑xiào曰yuē：「若ruò果guǒ天tiān命mìng归guī我wǒ，司sī徒tú当dāng为wèi元yuán勋xūn。」允yǔn拜bài谢xiè。

“If indeed the decree of heaven devolve on me; you shall be held the first in merit,” said Tung Cho.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-22

堂táng中zhōng点diǎn上shàng划huà烛zhú，止zhǐ留liú女nǘ使shǐ进jìn酒jiǔ供gōng食shí。允yǔn曰yuē：「教jiào坊fāng之zhī乐lè，不bù足zú供gòng奉fèng；偶óu有yǒu家jiā伎jì，敢gán使shǐ承chéng应yìng。」卓zhuó曰yuē：「甚shèn妙miào。」允yǔn教jiào放fàng下xià帘lián栊lóng，笙shēng簧huáng缭liáo绕rào，簇cù捧pěng貂diāo蝉chán舞wǔ于yú帘lián外wài。有yǒu词cí赞zàn之zhī曰yuē：

Wang Yün bowed. Then lights were brought in and all the attendants were dismissed save the serving maids to hand the wine. So the evening went on. Presently the host said, “The music of these everyday musicians is too commonplace for your ear, but there happens to be in the house a little maid that might please you.” “Excellent!” said the guest. Then a curtain was lowered. The shrill tones of reed instruments rang through the room and presently some attendants led forward Cicada, who then danced on the outside of the curtain.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-23

原yuán是shì昭zhāo阳yáng宫gōng里lǐ人rén，惊jīng鸿hóng宛wán转zhuán掌zhǎng中zhōng身shēn，只zhǐ疑yí飞fēi过guò洞dòng庭tíng春chūn。

She was a maid of Zhaoyang Palace, a wild swan, lithe as a figure held in the palm, one might think she had flown past the spring of Dongting Lake.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

8-24

按àn彻chè梁liáng州zhōu莲lián步bù稳wěn，好hǎo花huā风fēng袅niǎo一yī枝zhī新xīn，划huà堂táng香xiāng煖nuǎn不bú胜shèng春chūn。

She finishes the Liangzhou tune with steady lotus steps, a lovely flower swaying in the wind, a fresh-cut sprig, the painted hall warm with fragrance, overflowing with spring.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

8-25

又yòu诗shī曰yuē：

Another poem says:

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

8-26

红hóng牙yá催cuī拍pāi燕yàn飞fēi忙máng，一yī片piàn行xíng云yún到dào划huà堂táng。

Red ivory clappers quicken the beat, swallows dart in haste; a drifting cloud sweeps into the painted hall.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

8-27

眉méi黛dài促cù成chéng游yóu子zi恨hèn，脸liǎn容róng初chū断duàn故gù人rén肠cháng。

Her moth-eyebrows stir the wanderer's longing; her face would break an old friend's heart.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

8-28

榆yú钱qián不bù买mǎi千qiān金jīn笑xiào，柳liǔ带dài何hé须xū百bái宝bǎo妆zhuāng？

Elm-seed coins cannot buy a thousand-gold smile; why should willow-sash branches need a hundred-treasure adornment?

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

8-29

舞wǔ罢bà高gāo帘lián偷tōu目mù送sòng，不bù知zhī谁shuí是shì楚chǔ襄xiāng王wáng。

The dance ends, beyond the high curtain she steals a glance; who knows which of them is King Xiang of Chu?

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

8-30

舞wǔ罢bà，卓zhuó命mìng近jìn前qián。貂diāo蝉chán转zhuǎn入rù帘lián内nèi，深shēn深shēn再zài拜bài。卓zhuó见jiàn貂diāo蝉chán颜yán色sè美měi丽lì，便biàn问wèn：「此cí女nǚ何hé人rén？」允yǔn曰yuē：「歌gē伎jì貂diāo蝉chán也yě。」卓zhuó曰yuē：「能néng唱chàng否fǒu？」允yǔn命mìng貂diāo蝉chán执zhí檀tán板bǎn低dī讴ōu一yī麹qū。正zhèng是shì：

Apoem says:— For a palace this maiden was born, So timid, so graceful, so slender, Like a tiny bird flitting at morn O’er the dew-laden lily-buds tender. Were this exquisite maid only mine, For never a mansion I’d pine. Another poem runs thus: The music calls; the dancer comes, a swallow gliding in, A dainty little damsel, light as air; Her beauty captivates the guest yet saddens him within, For he must soon depart and leave her there. She smiles; no gold could buy that smile, no other smileth so, No need to deck her form with jewels rare, But when the dance is over and coy glances come and go, Then who shall be the chosen of the fair? The dance ended, Tung Cho bade them lead the maiden in, and she came, bowing low as she approached him. He was much taken with her beauty and modest grace. “Who is she?” said he. “A singing girl; we call her Sable Cicada.” “Then can she sing?” The master bade her sing and she did so to the accompaniment of castanets. There is a measure describing her youthful beauty:— You stand, a dainty maiden, Your cherry lips so bright, Your teeth so pearly white, Your fragrant breath love-laden; Yet is your tongue a sword; Cold death is the reward Of loving thee, O maiden.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-31

一yì点diǎn樱yīng桃táo启qǐ绛jiàng唇chún，两liǎng行xíng碎suì玉yù喷pēn阳yáng春chūn。

A cherry lip parts crimson lips, two rows of shattered jade breathe forth the spring air.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

8-32

丁dīng香xiāng舌shé吐tǔ横héng钢gāng剑jiàn，要yào斩zhǎn奸jiān邪xié乱luàn国guó臣chén。

A clove-like tongue darts like a horizontal steel blade, bent on slaying the treacherous minister who throws the realm in chaos.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

8-33

卓zhuó称chēng赏shǎng不bù已yǐ。允yǔn命mìng貂diāo蝉chán把bá盏zhǎn。卓zhuó擎qíng杯bēi问wèn曰yuē「青qīng春chūn几jǐ何hé」貂diāo蝉chán曰yuē「贼zéi妾qiè年nián方fāng二èr八bā。」卓zhuó笑xiào曰yuē「真zhēn神shén仙xiān中zhōng人rén也yě」允yún起qǐ曰yuē「允yǔn欲yù将jiāng此cí女nǚ献xiàn上shàng太tài师shī未wèi审shén肯kěn容róng纳nà否fǒu」卓zhuó曰yuē「如rú此cǐ见jiàn惠huì何hé以yǐ报bào德dé」允yǔn曰yuē「此cí女nǚ得dé侍shì太tài师shī其qí福fú太tài浅qiǎn。」卓zhuó再zài三sān称chēng谢xiè。

Tung Cho was delighted and praised her warmly. She was told to present a goblet of wine to the guest which he took from her hands and then asked her age. She replied, “Thy unworthy handmaid is just sixteen.” “A perfect little fairy!” said Tung Cho. Then Wang Yün rose and said, “If the Minister would not mind I should like to offer him this little maid.” “How could I be grateful enough for such a kindness?” “She would be most fortunate if she could be your servant,” said Wang. Cho thanked his host warmly.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-34

允yǔn即jí命mìng备bèi毡zhān车chē先xiān将jiāng貂diāo蝉chán送sòng到dào相xiāng府fǔ。卓zhuó亦yì起qǐ身shēn告gào辞cí。允yǔn亲qīn送sòng董dǒng卓zhuó直zhí到dào相xiāng府fǔ然rán后hòu辞cí回huí。乘chéng马mǎ而ér行xíng不bú到dào半bàn路lù只zhǐ见jiàn两liǎng行xíng红hóng灯dēng照zhào道dào吕lǚ布bù骑qí马mǎ执zhí戟jǐ而ér来lái正zhèng与yǔ王wáng允yǔn撞zhuàng见jiàn便biàn勒lēi住zhù马mǎ一yī把bǎ揪jiū住zhù衣yī襟jīn厉lì声shēng问wèn曰yuē「司sī徒tú既jì以yǐ貂diāo蝉chán许xú我wǒ今jīn又yòu送sòng与yǔ太tài师shī何hé相xiāng戏xì耶yé」

Then the orders were given to prepare a closed carriage and convey Sable Cicada to the palace. Soon after Tung Cho took his leave and Wang Yün accompanied him the whole way. After he had taken leave he mounted to ride homeward. Half way he met two lines of men with red lamps who were escorting Lü Pu on horseback and armed with his halberd. Seeing Wang Yün he at once reined in, stopped, seized him by the sleeve and said angrily, “You promised Cicada to me and now you have given her to the Minister: what foolery is this?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-35

允yǔn急jí止zhǐ之zhī曰yuē「此cǐ非fēi说shuō话huà处chù且qié请qǐng到dào草cáo舍shě去qù。」

Wang Yün checked him. “This is no place to talk; I pray you come to my house.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-36

布bù同tóng允yǔn到dào家jiā，下xià马mǎ入rù后hòu堂táng。叙xù礼lǐ毕bì，允yǔn曰yuē：「将jiāng军jūn何hé故gù怪guài老lǎo夫fū？」布bù曰yuē：「有yǒu人rén报bào我wǒ，说shuō你ní把bǎ毡zhān车chē送sòng貂diāo蝉chán入rù相xiāng府fǔ，是shì何hé缘yuán故gù？」允yǔn曰yuē：「将jiāng军jūn原yuán来lái不bù知zhī！昨zuó日rì太tài师shī在zài朝cháo堂táng中zhōng，对duì老lǎo夫fū说shuō：『我wó有yǒu一yī事shì，要yào到dào你nǐ家jiā。』允yǔn因yīn此cí准zhǔn备bèi，等děng候hòu太tài师shī。

So they went together and he led Lü Pu into a private room. After the usual exchange of polite greetings Wang said, “Why do you find fault with me, Commander?” “Somebody told me that you had sent Cicada to the Minister’s palace in a covered carriage: what does it mean?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-37

饮yín酒jiǔ中zhōng间jiān说shuō：『我wǒ闻wén你ní有yǒu一yī女nǚ，名míng唤huàn貂diāo蝉chán，已yí许xǔ吾wú儿ér奉fèng先xiān。我wó恐kóng你nǐ言yán未wèi准zhǔn，特tè来lái相xiāng求qiú，并bìng请qǐng一yī见jiàn。』老lǎo夫fū不bù敢gán有yǒu违wéi，随suí引yǐn貂diāo蝉chán出chū拜bài公gōng公gōng。太tài师shī曰yuē：『今jīn日rì良liáng辰chén，吾wú即jí当dāng取qú此cí女nǚ回huí去qù，配pèi与yǔ奉fèng先xiān。』将jiāng军jūn试shì思sī，太tài师shī亲qīn临lín，老lǎo夫fū焉yān敢gǎn推tuī阻zǔ？」布bù曰yuē：「司sī徒tú少shǎo罪zuì。

“Of course you do not understand. Yesterday when I was at court the Minister told me he had something to talk to me about in my own house. So naturally I prepared for his coming and while we were at dinner he said, “I have heard something of a girl named Sable Cicada whom you have promised to my son Fêng-hsien. I thought it was mere rumour so I wanted to ask if it was true. Beside I should like to see her.” I could not say no, so she came in and made her bow to the lord of lords. Then he said that it was a lucky day and he would take her away with him and betroth her to you. Just think, Sir; when the Minister had come himself, could I stop him?” “You were not so very wrong,” said Pu, “but for a time I had misunderstood you. I owe you an apology.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-38

布bù一yī时shí错cuò见jiàn，来lái日rì自zì当dāng负fù荆jīng。」允yǔn曰yuē：「小xiáo女nǚ稍shāo有yǒu妆zhuāng奁lián，待dài过guò将jiāng军jūn府fǔ下xià，便biàn当dāng送sòng至zhì。」

“The girl has a small trousseau, which I will send as soon as she has gone over to your dwelling.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-39

布bú谢xiè去qù。次cì日rì，吕lǚ布bú在zài府fǔ中zhōng打dǎ听tīng，绝jué不bù闻wén音yīn耗hào。布bú迳jìng入rù堂táng中zhōng，寻xún问wèn诸zhū侍shì妾qiè。待dài妾qiè对duì曰yuē：「夜yè来lái太tài师shī与yǔ新xīn人rén共gòng寝qǐn，至zhì今jīn未wèi起qǐ。」布bú大dà怒nù，潜qián入rù卓zhuó卧wò房fáng后hòu窥kuī探tàn。时shí貂diāo蝉chán起qǐ于yú窗chuāng下xià梳shū头tóu；忽hū见jiàn窗chuāng外wài池chí中zhōng照zhào一yī人rén影yǐng，极jí长zhǎng大dà，头tóu戴dài束shù发fà冠guān；偷tōu眼yǎn视shì之zhī，正zhèng是shì吕lǚ布bù。

Pu thanked him and went away. Next day he went into the palace to find out the truth, but could hear nothing. Then he made his way into the private quarters and questioned the maids. Presently one told him that the Minister had brought home a new bedfellow the night before and was not up yet. Pu was very angry. Next he crept round behind his master’s sleeping apartment.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-40

貂diāo蝉chán故gù蹙cù双shuāng眉méi，做zuò忧yōu愁chóu不bú乐lè之zhī态tài，复fù以yǐ香xiāng罗luó频pín拭shì眼yǎn泪lèi。吕lǚ布bù窥kuī视shì良liáng久jiǔ，乃nǎi出chū；少sháo顷qǐng，又yòu入rù。卓zhuó已yǐ坐zuò于yú中zhōng堂táng，见jiàn布bù来lái，问wèn曰yuē：「外wài麺miàn无wú事shì乎hū？」布bù曰yuē：「无wú事shì。」侍shì立lì卓zhuó侧cè。卓zhuó方fāng食shí，布bù偷tōu目mù窃qiè望wàng，见jiàn绣xiù帘lián内nèi一yī女nǘ子zí往wǎng来lái观guān觑qù，微wēi露lù半bàn麺miàn，以yǐ目mù送sòng情qíng。布bù知zhī是shì貂diāo蝉chán，神shén魂hún飘piāo荡dàng。

By this time Cicada had risen and was dressing her hair at the window. Looking out she saw a long shadow fall across the little lake. She recognised the headdress and peeping around she saw it was indeed no other than Lü Pu. Thereupon she contracted her eyebrows, simulating the deepest grief, and with her dainty handkerchief she wiped her eyes again and again. Lü Pu stood watching her a long time. Soon after he went in to give morning greeting. His master was sitting in the reception room. Seeing his henchman he asked if there was anything new. “Nothing,” was the reply and he waited while Tung Cho took his morning meal. As he stood beside his master he glanced over at the curtain and saw a woman there behind the screen showing a half face from time to time and throwing amorous glances at him. He felt it was his beloved and his thoughts flew to her. Presently Cho noticed his expression and began to feel suspicious. “If there is nothing you may go,” said he.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-41

卓zhuó见jiàn布bù如rú此cǐ光guāng景jǐng，心xīn中zhōng疑yí忌jì，曰yuē：「奉fèng先xiān无wú事shì且qiě退tuì。」布bú怏yàng怏yàng而ér出chū。

Lü Pu sulkily withdrew. Tung Cho now thought of nothing but his new mistress and for more than a month neglected all affairs, devoting himself entirely to pleasure. He was a little indisposed and Cicada was constantly at his side, never even undressing to show her solicitude. She gratified his every whim. Cho grew more and more fond of her.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-42

董dǒng卓zhuó自zì纳nà貂diāo蝉chán后hòu，为wèi色sè所suǒ迷mí，月yuè余yú不bù出chū理lǐ事shì。卓zhuó偶óu染rán小xiǎo疾jí，貂diāo蝉chán衣yī不bù解jiě带dài，麹qū意yì逢féng迎yíng，卓zhuó心xīn愈yù喜xǐ。吕lǚ布bú入rù内nèi间jiān安ān，正zhèng值zhí卓zhuó睡shuì。貂diāo蝉chán于yú床chuáng后hòu探tàn半bàn身shēn望wàng布bù，以yí手shóu指zhǐ心xīn，又yòu以yí手shóu指zhí董dǒng卓zhuó，挥huī泪lèi不bù止zhǐ。布bù心xīn如rú碎suì。卓zhuó朦méng胧lóng双shuāng目mù，见jiàn布bú注zhù视shì床chuáng后hòu，目mù不bù转zhuǎn睛jīng；回huí身shēn一yī看kàn，见jiàn貂diāo蝉chán立lì于yú床chuáng后hòu。

One day Lü Pu went to enquire after his father’s health. Tung Cho was asleep and Cicada was sitting at the head of his couch. Leaning forward she gazed at the visitor, with one hand pointed to her heart, the other at Tung Cho asleep, and her tears fell. Lü Pu felt heartbroken. Cho drowsily opened his eyes, and seeing his son’s gaze fixed on something behind him, turned over and saw who it was. He angrily rebuked Pu saying, “Dare you make love to my beauty?” He told the servants to turn him out and not allow him to come in again. Lü Pu went off home very wrath. Meeting Li Ju he told him the cause of his anger. The adviser hastened to see his master and said, “Sir, you aspire to be ruler of the State, why then for a small fault do you blame the Marquis? If he turn against you, it is all over.” “Then what can I do?” said Cho. “Recall him to-morrow; treat him well; overwhelm him with gifts and fair words and all will be well.” So Tung Cho did so. He sent for Lü Pu and was very gracious and said, “I was irritable and hasty yesterday owing to my illness and I wronged you, I know. Forget it.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-43

卓zhuó大dà怒nù，叱chì布bù曰yuē：「汝rú敢gǎn戏xì吾wú爱ài姬jī耶yé！唤huàn左zuǒ右yòu逐zhú出chū，今jīn后hòu不bù许xǔ入rù堂táng。」吕lǚ布bú怒nù恨hèn而ér归guī，路lù偶óu李lǐ儒rú，告gào知zhī其qí故gù。儒rú急jí入rù见jiàn卓zhuó曰yuē：「太tài师shī欲yù取qǔ天tiān下xià，何hé故gù以yí小xiǎo过guò见jiàn责zé温wēn侯hóu？倘táng彼bǐ心xīn变biàn，大dà事shì去qù矣yǐ。」卓zhuó曰yuē：「奈nài何hé？」儒rú曰yuē：「来lái朝cháo唤huàn入rù，赐cì以yǐ金jīn帛bó，好hǎo言yán慰wèi之zhī，自zì然rán无wú事shì。

He gave him ten catties of gold and twenty rolls of brocade. And so the quarrel was made up. But though Lü’s body was with Tung his heart was with his promised bride.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-44

」卓zhuó依yī言yán。次cì日rì使shǐ人rén唤huàn布bú入rù堂táng慰wèi之zhī曰yuē「吾wú前qián日rì病bìng中zhōng心xīn神shén恍huǎng惚hū误wù言yán伤shāng汝rú汝rǔ勿wù记jì心xīn。」随suí赐cì金jīn十shí斤jīn锦jǐn二èr十shí疋pǐ。布bú谢xiè归guī然rán身shēn虽suī在zài卓zhuó左zuǒ右yòu心xīn实shí系xì念niàn貂diāo蝉chán。

So Tung Cho did so. He sent for Lü Pu and was very gracious and said, “I was irritable and hasty yesterday owing to my illness and I wronged you, I know. Forget it.” He gave him ten catties of gold and twenty rolls of brocade. And so the quarrel was made up. But though Lü’s body was with Tung his heart was with his promised bride.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-45

卓zhuó疾jí既jì愈yù入rù朝cháo议yì事shì。布bù执zhí戟jǐ相xiāng随suí见jiàn卓zhuó与yǔ献xiàn帝dì共gòng谈tán便biàn乘chéng间jiān提tí戟jǐ出chū内nèi门mén上shàng马mǎ迳jìng投tóu相xiāng府fǔ来lái系xì马má府fǔ前qián提tí戟jǐ入rù后hòu堂táng寻xún见jiàn貂diāo蝉chán。蝉chán曰yuē「汝rú可kě去qù后hòu园yuán中zhōng凤fèng仪yí亭tíng边biān等déng我wǒ。」布bù提tí戟jǐ迳jìng往wǎng立lì于yú亭tíng下xià麹qū栏lán之zhī傍bàng。

Tung Cho having quite recovered went to court again and Lü Pu followed him as usual. Seeing Tung Cho deep in conversation with the Emperor, Lü Pu, armed as he was, went out of the palace and rode off to his chief's residence. He tied up his steed at the entrance and, halberd in hand, went to the private apartments to seek his love. He found her and she told him to go out into the garden where she would join him soon. He went, taking his halberd with him, and he leaned against the rail of the Phoenix Pavilion to wait for Cicada.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-46

良liáng久jiǔ，貂diāo蝉chán分fēn花huā拂fú柳liǔ而ér来lái，果guǒ然rán如rú月yuè宫gōng仙xiān子zi，泣qì谓wèi布bù曰yuē：「我wǒ虽suī非fēi王wáng司sī徒tú亲qīn女nǚ，然rán待dài之zhī如rú己jǐ出chū。自zì见jiàn将jiāng军jūn，许xǔ侍shì箕jī帚zhǒu，妾qiè已yǐ生shēng平píng愿yuàn足zú；谁shuí想xiǎng太tài师shī起qǐ不bù良liáng之zhī心xīn，将jiāng妾qiè淫yín污wū。妾qiè恨hèn不bù即jí死sǐ；止zhǐ因yīn未wèi与yǔ将jiāng军jūn一yī诀jué，故gù且qié忍rén辱rǔ偷tōu生shēng。今jīn幸xìng得de见jiàn，妾qiè愿yuàn毕bì矣yǐ。此cǐ身shēn已yǐ污wū，不bù得dé复fù事shì英yīng雄xióng；

After a long time she appeared, swaying gracefully as she made her way under the drooping willows and parting the flowers as she passed. She was exquisite, a perfect little fairy from the Palace of the Moon. Tears were in her eyes as she came up and said, “Though I am not the Governor’s real daughter yet he treated me as his own child. The desire of my life was fulfilled when he plighted me to you. But Oh! to think of the wickedness of the Minister, stealing my poor self as he did. I suffered so much. I longed to die, only that I had not told you the real truth. So I lived on, bearing my shame as best as I could but feeling it mean still to live. Now that I have seen you I can end it all. My poor sullied body is no longer fit to serve a hero. I can die before your eyes and so prove how true I am!”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-47

愿yuàn死sǐ于yú君jūn前qián，以yǐ明míng妾qiè志zhì！」言yán讫qì，手shǒu攀pān麹qū栏lán，望wàng荷hé花huā池chí便biàn跳tiào。吕lǚ布bù慌huāng忙máng抱bào住zhù，泣qì曰yuē：「我wǒ知zhī汝rǔ心xīn久jiú矣yǐ！只zhǐ恨hèn不bù能néng共gòng语yǔ！」貂diāo蝉chán手shóu扯chě布bù曰yuē：「妾qiè今jīn生shēng不bù能néng与yǔ君jūn为wèi妻qī，愿yuàn相xiāng期qī于yú来lái世shì。」布bù曰yuē：「我wǒ今jīn生shēng不bù能néng以yí汝rǔ为wèi妻qī，非fēi英yīng雄xióng也yě！」蝉chán曰yuē：「妾qiè度dù日rì如rú年nián，愿yuàn君jūn怜lián而ér救jiù之zhī。

After a long time she appeared, swaying gracefully as she made her way under the drooping willows and parting the flowers as she passed. She was exquisite, a perfect little fairy from the Palace of the Moon. Tears were in her eyes as she came up and said, “Though I am not the Governor’s real daughter yet he treated me as his own child. The desire of my life was fulfilled when he plighted me to you. But Oh! to think of the wickedness of the Minister, stealing my poor self as he did. I suffered so much. I longed to die, only that I had not told you the real truth. So I lived on, bearing my shame as best as I could but feeling it mean still to live. Now that I have seen you I can end it all. My poor sullied body is no longer fit to serve a hero. I can die before your eyes and so prove how true I am!” Thus speaking she seized the curving rail as if to jump into the lily pond. Lü Pu caught her in his strong arms and wept as he held her close. “I knew it; I always knew your heart,” he sobbed. “Only we never had a chance to speak.” 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.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-48

」布bù曰yuē：「我wǒ今jīn偷tōu空kòng而ér来lái，恐kóng老lǎo贼zéi见jiàn疑yí，必bì当dāng速sù去qù。」貂diāo蝉chán牵qiān其qí衣yī曰yuē：「君jūn如rú此cǐ惧jù怕pà老lǎo贼zéi，妾qiè身shēn无wú见jiàn天tiān日rì之zhī期qī矣yǐ！」布bú立lì住zhù曰yuē：「容róng我wǒ徐xú图tú良liáng策cè。」语yǔ罢bà，提tí戟jǐ欲yù去qù。貂diāo蝉chán曰yuē：「妾qiè在zài深shēn闺guī，闻wén将jiāng军jūn之zhī名míng，如rú雷léi灌guàn耳ěr，以yǐ为wéi当dāng世shì一yī人rén而ér已yǐ；谁shuí想xiáng反fǎn受shòu他tā人rén之zhī制zhì乎hū！

“Every day is a year long. O pity me! Rescue me!” “I have only stolen away for a brief moment and I am afraid that old rebel will suspect something, so I must not stay too long,” said Pu. The girl clung to his robe. “If you fear the old thief so much I shall never see another sunrise.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-49

」言yán讫qì，泪lèi下xià如rú雨yǔ。布bù羞xiū惭cán满mǎn麺miàn，重chóng复fù倚yí戟jǐ，回huí身shēn搂lǒu抱bào貂diāo蝉chán，用yòng好hǎo言yán安ān慰wèi。两liǎng个gè偎wēi偎wēi倚yí倚yǐ，不bù忍rěn相xiāng离lí。

Lü Pu stopped. “Give me a little time to think,” said he. And he picked up his halberd to go. “In the deep seclusion of the harem, I heard the stories of your prowess; you were the one man who excelled all others. Little did I think that you of all men would rest content under the dominion of another.” And tears rained again! Awave of shame flooded his face. Leaning his halberd against the railing he turned and clasped the girl to his breast, soothing her with fond words. The lovers held each other close swaying to and fro with emotion. How could they bring themselves to say farewell?

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-50

却què说shuō董dǒng卓zhuó在zài殿diàn上shàng，回huí头tóu不bú见jiàn吕lǚ布bù，心xīn中zhōng怀huái疑yí，连lián忙máng辞cí了le献xiàn帝dì，登dēng车chē回huí府fǔ；见jiàn布bù马mǎ系xì于yú府fǔ前qián；问wèn门mén吏lì，吏lì答dá曰yuē：「温wēn侯hóu入rù后hòu堂táng去qù了le。」卓zhuó叱chì退tuì左zuǒ右yòu，迳jìng入rù后hòu堂táng中zhōng，寻xún觅mì不bú见jiàn；唤huàn貂diāo蝉chán，蝉chán亦yì不bú见jiàn。急jí问wèn侍shì妾qiè，侍shì妾qiè曰yuē：「貂diāo蝉chán在zài后hòu园yuán看kàn花huā。

In the meantime Tung Cho missed his henchman and doubt filled his heart. Hastily taking leave of the Emperor, he mounted his chariot and returned to his palace. There at the gate stood Lü Pu’s well known steed, riderless. He questioned the doorkeepers and they told him the Marquis was within. He sent away his attendants and went alone to the private apartments. Lü Pu was not there. He called Cicada, but she did not reply. He asked where she was and the waiting maids told him she was in the garden among the flowers. So he went into the garden and there he saw the lovers in the pavilion in most tender talk. Lü Pu’s halberd was leaning on the railing beside him.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-51

」卓zhuó寻xún入rù后hòu园yuán，正zhèng见jiàn吕lǚ布bù和hé貂diāo蝉chán在zài凤fèng仪yí亭tíng下xià共gòng语yǔ，划huà戟jí倚yǐ在zài一yī边biān。卓zhuó怒nù，大dà喝hē一yī声shēng。布bú见jiàn卓zhuó至zhì，大dà惊jīng，回huí身shēn便biàn走zǒu。卓zhuó抢qiǎng了le划huà戟jǐ，挺tǐng著zhù赶gǎn来lái。吕lǚ布bù走zǒu得dé快kuài，卓zhuó肥féi胖pàng赶gǎn不bú上shàng，掷zhì戟jǐ刺cì布bú。布bù打dá戟jǐ落luò地dì。卓zhuó拾shí戟jǐ再zài赶gǎn，布bù已yí走zóu远yuǎn。

In the meantime Tung Cho missed his henchman and doubt filled his heart. Hastily taking leave of the Emperor, he mounted his chariot and returned to his palace. There at the gate stood Lü Pu’s well known steed, riderless. He questioned the doorkeepers and they told him the Marquis was within. He sent away his attendants and went alone to the private apartments. Lü Pu was not there. He called Cicada, but she did not reply. He asked where she was and the waiting maids told him she was in the garden among the flowers. So he went into the garden and there he saw the lovers in the pavilion in most tender talk. Lü Pu’s halberd was leaning on the railing beside him.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-52

卓zhuó赶gǎn出chū园yuán门mén，一yī人rén飞fēi奔bēn前qián来lái，与yǔ卓zhuó胸xiōng膛táng相xiāng撞zhuàng，卓zhuó倒dào于yú地dì。正zhèng是shì：

Ahowl of rage escaped Tung Cho and startled the lovers. Lü Pu turned, saw who it was and ran away. Cho caught up the halberd and ran in pursuit. But Lü Pu was fleet of foot while his master was very stout. Seeing no hope of catching the runaway Cho hurled the halberd. Lü Pu fended it off and it fell to the ground. Cho picked it up and ran on. But by this time Lü Pu was far ahead. Just as Cho was running out at the garden gate he dashed full tilt against another man running in, and down he went. Surged up his wrath within him as the billows heavenward leap, Crashed his unwieldy body to earth in a shapeless heap. We shall presently see who the other runner was.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

8-53

冲chōng天tiān怒nù气qì高gāo千qiān丈zhàng仆pū地dì肥féi躯qū做zuò一yī堆duī。

His sky-reaching rage soared a thousand rods, his gross bulk collapsed to the ground in a heap.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

8-54

未wèi知zhī此cǐ人rén是shì谁shuí且qiě听tīng下xià文wén分fēn解jiě。

But who this person was, you must read the next chapter to find out.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated