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| Simplified Chinese version |
《王司徒巧使连环计，董太师大闹凤仪亭 - Wang Yun Prepares The Chaining Scheme; Dong Zhuo Rages At Phoenix Pavilion》 |
| 1 | 王司徒巧... : | 却说蒯良曰：“今孙坚已丧，其子皆幼。乘此虚弱之时，火速进军，江东一鼓可得。若还尸罢兵，容其养成气力，荆州之患也。”表曰：“吾有黄祖在彼营中，安忍弃之？”良曰：“舍一无谋黄祖而取江东，有何不可？”表曰：“吾与黄祖心腹之交，舍之不义。”遂送桓楷回营，相约以孙坚尸换黄祖。 |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
This is what Kuai Liang said, "Sun Jian is now gone, and his children are but youths. Seize this moment of weakness to break into the South Land, 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 Jingzhou." "How can I leave Huang Zu in their hands?" said Liu Biao. "Why not sacrifice this blundering warrior for a region?" "But he is my dear friend, and to abandon him is wrong." So Huan Ji was allowed to return to his own side with the understanding that Sun Jian's dead body should be given in exchange | |
| 2 | 王司徒巧... : | 刘表换回黄祖，孙策迎接灵柩，罢战回江东，葬父于曲阿之原。丧事已毕，引军居江都，招贤纳士，屈己待人，四方豪杰，渐渐投之不在话下。 |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
Sun Ce freed his prisoner, brought away his father's coffin, and the fighting ceased. Sun Jian was interred in the plains of Que. When the ceremonies were over, Sun Ce led his army home again. In Changsha, one of the territories south of the Great River, Sun Ce set himself to the task of ruling well. Being humble and generous, he invited to his side humans of wisdom and valor and so bore himself that all the best and bravest of the country gathered about him. | |
| 3 | 王司徒巧... : | 却说董卓在长安，闻孙坚已死，乃曰：“吾除却一心腹之患也！”问：“其子年几岁矣？”或答曰：“十七岁。”卓遂不以为意。自此愈加骄横，自号为“尚父”，出入僭天子仪仗；封弟董旻为左将军鄠侯，侄董璜为待中，总领禁军。董氏宗族，不问长幼，皆封列侯。离长安城二百五十里，别筑郿坞，役民夫二十五万人筑之；其城郭高下厚薄一如长安，内盖宫室仓库，屯积二十年粮食。选民间少年美女八百人实其中。金玉、彩帛、珍珠堆积不知其数。家属都住在内。卓往来长安，或半月一回，或一月一回，公卿皆候送于横门外。 |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
Meanwhile, Dong Zhuo at Capital Changan, when he heard of the death of the turbulent Sun Jian, said, "An evil that pressed hard upon my heart has been removed!" He asked what children Sun Jian had left, and when they told him the eldest was but seventeen, he dismissed all anxiety from his thoughts. From this time forward his arrogance and domineering spirit waxed worse and worse. He styled himself "Imperial Rector", a name full of honor, and in all his behavior aped imperial state. He created his younger brother, Dong Min, Lord of Huazhou and made him Commander of the Left Army. A nephew, Dong Huang, was made Court Counselor and placed in command of the Palace Guard, and everyone of his clan, young or old, was ennobled. Eighty miles from the capital Dong Zhuo laid out a city called Meiwo, an exact replica of Changan, 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 city. Dong Zhuo 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 northwest Royal Gate and saw him start. | |
| 4 | 王司徒巧... : | 卓常设帐于路，与公卿聚饮。一日，卓出横门，百官皆送。卓留宴，适北地招安降卒数百人到。卓即命于座前，或断其手足，或凿其眼睛，或割其舌，或以大锅煮之。哀号之声震天，百官战栗失莇，卓饮食谈笑自若。 |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: | On one occasion Dong Zhuo spread a great feast for all those assembled to witness his departure; and while it was in progress, there arrived a large number of rebels from the north who had voluntarily surrendered. Dong Zhuo 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. | |
| 5 | 王司徒巧... : | 又一日，卓于省台大会百官，列坐两行。酒至数巡，吕布迳入，向卓耳边言不数句，卓笑曰：“原来如此。”命吕布于筵上揪司空张温下堂。百官失色。不多时，待从将一红盘，托张温头入献。百官魂不附体。卓笑曰：“诸公勿惊。张温结连袁术，欲图害我。因使人寄书来，错下在吾儿奉先处，故斩之。公等无故，不必惊畏。”众官唯唯而散。 |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
Another day Dong Zhuo was presiding at a great gathering of officials who were seated in two long rows. After the wine had gone up and down several times, Lu Bu entered and whispered a few words in his master's ear. Dong Zhuo smiled and said, "He was always so. Take Minister of Works Zhang Wan 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 Dong Zhuo smiling. "Minister Zhang Wan was in league with Yuan 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. | |
| 6 | 王司徒巧... : | 司徒王允归到府中，寻思今日席间之事，坐不安席。至夜深月明，策杖步入后园，立于荼蘼架侧，仰天垂泪。忽闻有人在牡丹亭畔，长吁短叹。允潜步窥之，乃府中歌伎貂蝉也。其女自幼选入府中，教以歌舞，年方二八，色伎俱佳，允以亲女待之。是夜允听良久，喝曰：“贱人将有私情耶？”貂蝉惊跪答曰：“贱妾安敢有私！”允曰：“无私，何夜深长叹？”蝉曰：“容妾伸肺腑之言。”允曰：“汝勿隐匿，当实告我。”蝉曰：“妾蒙大人恩养，训习歌舞，优礼相待，妾虽粉身碎骨，莫报万一。近见大人两眉愁锁，必有国家大事，又不敢问。今晚又见行坐不安，因此长叹；不想为大人窥见。倘有用妾之处，万死不辞。”允以杖击地曰：“谁想汉天下却在汝手中耶！随我到画阁中来。” |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
One of them, Minister of the Interior Wang Yun, 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 someone sighing deeply. Stealthily creeping near, he saw there one of the household singing girls named Diao Chan. This maiden had been brought up in his palace, where she had been taught to sing and dance. At twenty-one, she was a pretty and clever girl whom Wang Yun regarded more as a daughter than a dependant. After listening for some time, Wang Yun suddenly called out, "What mischief are you up to there, you naughty girl?" The maiden dropped on her knees in terror, saying, "Would thy unworthy handmaid dare to do anything wrong?" "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." 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 sadder 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." A sudden idea came to Wang Yun, and he stuck the ground with his staff. And he said, "Who would think that the fate of Han lay in your palm? Come with me!" | |
| 7 | 王司徒巧... : | 貂蝉跟允到阁中，允尽叱出婢妾，纳貂蝉于坐，叩头便拜。貂蝉惊伏于地曰：“大人何故如此？”允曰：“汝可怜大汉天下生灵！”言讫，泪如泉涌。貂蝉曰：“适间贱妾曾言：但有使令，万死不辞。”允跪而言曰：“百姓有倒悬之危，君臣有累卵之急，非汝不能救也。贼臣董卓，将欲篡位；朝中文武，无计可施。董卓有一义儿，姓吕，名布，骁勇异常。我看二人皆好色之徒，今欲用连环计：先将汝许嫁吕布，后献与董卓；汝于中取便，谋间他父子反颜，令布杀卓，以绝大恶。重扶社稷，再立江山，皆汝之力也。不知汝意若何？”貂蝉曰：“妾许大人万死不辞，望即献妾与彼。妾自有道理。”允曰：“事若泄漏，我灭门矣。”貂蝉曰：“大人勿忧。妾若不报大义，死于万刃之下。” |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
The girl followed him into the house. There he dismissed all the waiting attendants, placed Diao Chan on a chair, and bowed before her. She was frightened and threw herself on the ground, asking in terror what it all meant. Said Wang Yun, "You can sympathize with the people of Han!" And the fount of his tears opened afresh. "My lord, as thy handmaid said just now, use her in any way: Thy handmaid will never shrink," said the girl. Wang Yun knelt, saying, "The people are on the brink of destruction, the prince and his officers are in jeopardy, and you, you are the only savior. That wretch Dong Zhuo wants to depose the Emperor, and not a person 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 'chaining plan'. I shall first propose you in marriage to Lu Bu and then, after you are betrothed, I shall present you to Dong Zhuo, and you will take every opportunity to force them asunder and turn sway 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?" "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!" | |
| 8 | 王司徒巧... : | 允拜谢。次日，便将家藏明珠数颗，令良匠嵌造金冠一顶，使人密送吕布。布大喜，亲到王允宅致谢。允顶备嘉淆美馔；候吕布至，允出门迎迓，接入后堂，延之上坐。布曰：“吕布乃相府一将，司徒是朝廷大臣，何故错敬？”允曰：“方今天下别无英雄，惟有将军耳。允非敬将军之职，敬将军之才也。”布大喜。允殷勤敬酒，口称董太师并布之德不绝。布大笑畅饮。允叱退左右，只留待妾数人劝酒。酒至半酣，允曰：“唤孩儿来。” |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
"Thank you, thank you!" said Wang Yun. Then Wang Yun 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 Lu Bu. He was delighted and came to thank the donor. When Lu Bu arrived, he was met at the gate by Wang Yun himself and within found a table full of dainties for his delectation. He was conducted into a private apartment and placed in the seat of honor. Lu Bu 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 hero your equal. Poor I bow not to an officer's rank; poor I bow to his ability." This gratified Lu Bu mightily, and his host continued to praise and flatter and ply him with wine and to talk of the virtues of the Prime Minister and his henchman. Lu Bu 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 Yun suddenly said, "Let her come in!" | |
| 9 | 王司徒巧... : | 少顷，二青衣引貂蝉艳妆而出。布惊问何人。允曰：“小女貂蝉也。允蒙将军错爱，不异至亲，故令其与将军相见。”便命貂蝉与吕布把盏。貂蝉送酒与布，两下眉来眼去。允佯醉曰：“孩儿央及将军痛饮几杯。吾一家全靠著将军哩。”布请貂蝉坐，貂蝉假意欲入。允曰：“将军吾之至友，孩儿便坐何妨？”貂蝉便坐于允侧。吕布目不转睛的看。 |
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Soon appeared two attendants, dressed in white, leading between them the exquisite and fascinating Diao Chan. "Who is this?" said Lu Bu startled into sobriety. "This is my little girl, Diao Chan. 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." Wang Yun bade Diao Chan present a goblet of wine, and her eyes met those of the warrior. Wang Yun feigning intoxication said, "My child begs you, General, to take a cup or two. We all depend upon you, all our house." Lu Bu begged Diao Chan to sit down. She pretended to wish to retire. Her master pressed her to remain, saying, "The General is a dear friend. You may stay." So she took a seat modestly near her master. Lu Bu kept his gaze fixed upon the maid. | |
| 10 | 王司徒巧... : | 又饮数杯，允指蝉谓布曰：“吾欲将此女送与将军为妾，还肯纳否？”布出席谢曰：“若得如此，布当效犬马之报。”允曰：“早晚选一良辰，送至府中。”布欣喜无限，频以目视貂蝉。貂蝉亦以秋波送情。少顷席散，允曰：“本欲留将军止宿，恐太师见疑。”布再三拜谢而去。 |
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He swallowed cup after cup of wine. "I should like to present her to you as a handmaid: Would you accept?" said Wang Yun. The guest started up. "If that is so, you may rely upon my abject gratitude," said Lu Bu. "We will choose a propitious day ere long and send her to the palace." Lu Bu was overjoyed. He could not keep his eyes off Diao Chan, and loving glances flashed from her liquid eyes. However the time came for the guest to leave, and Wang Yun said, "I would ask you to remain the night, but the Prime Minister might suspect something." Lu Bu thanked him again and again and departed. | |
| 11 | 王司徒巧... : | 过了数日，允在朝堂，见了董卓，趁吕布不在侧，伏地拜请曰：“允欲屈太师车骑，到草舍赴宴，未审钧意若何？”卓曰：“司徒见招，即当趋赴。”允拜谢归家，水陆毕陈，于前厅正中设座，锦绣铺地，内外各设幔帐。次日晌午，董卓来到。允具朝服出迎，再拜起居。卓下车，左右持戟甲士百馀，簇拥入堂，分列两傍。允于堂下再拜，卓命扶上，赐坐于侧。允曰：“太师盛德巍巍，伊、周不能及也。”卓大喜。进酒作乐，允极其致敬。 |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
Some few days later when Wang Yun was at court and Lu Bu was absent, Wang Yun bowed low before Dong Zhuo and said, "I wish 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. Wang Yun thanked him. Then Wang Yun 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 center, and elegant curtains were hung within and without. At noon next day, when Dong Zhuo arrived, Wang Yun met him at the gate in full court costume. Wang Yun stood by while Dong Zhuo stepped out of his chariot, and Dong Zhuo and a host of one hundred armed guards crowded into the hall. Dong Zhuo took his seat at the top, his suite fell into two lines right and left, while Wang Yun stood humbly at the lower end. Dong Zhuo bade his people conduct Wang Yun to a place beside himself. Said Wang Yun, "The great Prime Minister's abundant virtue is as the high mountains. Neither the ancient sages —-Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou —-could attain thereto." Dong Zhuo smiled. They bore in the dishes and the wine, and the music began. Wang Yun plied his guest with assiduous flattery and studied deference. When it grew late and the wine had done its work, Dong Zhuo was invited to the inner chamber. So he sent away his guards and went. | |
| 12 | 王司徒巧... : | 天晚酒酣，允请卓入后堂。卓叱退甲士。允捧觞称贺曰：“允自幼颇习天文，夜观乾象，汉家气数已尽。太师功德振于天下，若舜之受尧，禹之继舜，正合天心人意。”卓曰：“安敢望此！”允曰：“自古‘有道伐无道，无德让有德’岂过分乎？”卓笑曰：“若果天命归我，司徒当为元勋。” |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
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 Prime Minister's merits command the regard of all the world, as when King Shun succeeded King Yao, and King Yu continued the work of King Shun, all by the strength of their own merits, conforming to the mind of Heaven and the desire of people." "How dare I expect this?" said Dong Zhuo. "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?" "If indeed the decree of Heaven devolves on me, you shall be held the first in merit!" said Dong Zhuo. | |
| 13 | 王司徒巧... : | 允拜谢。堂中点上画烛，止留女使进酒供食。允曰：“教坊之乐，不足供奉；偶有家伎，敢使承应。”卓曰：“甚妙。”允教放下帘栊，笙簧缭绕，簇捧貂蝉舞于帘外。有词赞之曰：原是昭阳宫里人，惊鸿宛转掌中身，只疑飞过洞庭春。按彻梁州莲步稳，好花风袅一枝新，画堂香暖不胜春。又诗曰： |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
Wang Yun 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 Wang Yun 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 Diao Chan, who then danced on the outside of the curtain. A poem praises her: For a palace this maiden was born, So timid, so graceful, so slender, Like a tiny bird flitting at morn Over the dew-laden lily buds tender. Were this exquisite maid only mine, For never a mansion I'd pine. Another poem runs thus: | |
| 红牙催拍燕飞忙，一片行云到画堂。眉黛促成游子恨，脸容初断故人肠。榆钱不买千金笑，柳带何须百宝妆。舞罢隔帘偷目送，不知谁是楚襄王。 | ||
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The music falls, the dancer comes, a swallow gliding in, A dainty little damsel, soft as silk; 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 smiled 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? | ||
| 14 | 王司徒巧... : | 舞罢，卓命近前。貂蝉转入帘内，深深再拜。卓见貂蝉颜色美丽，便问：“此女何人？”允曰：“歌伎貂蝉也。”卓曰：“能唱否？”允命貂蝉檀板低讴一曲。正是：一点樱桃启绛唇，两行碎玉喷阳春。丁香舌吐横钢剑，要斩奸邪乱国臣。 |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
The dance ended. Dong Zhuo 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 Dong Zhuo. "A singing girl. Her name is Diao Chan." "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! | |
| 15 | 王司徒巧... : | 卓称赏不已。允命貂蝉把盏。卓擎杯问曰：“青春几何！”貂蝉曰：“贼妾年方二八。”卓笑曰：“真神仙中人也！”允起曰：“允欲将此女献上太师，未审肯容纳否？”卓曰：“如此见惠，何以报德？”允曰：“此女得侍太师，其福太浅。”卓再三称谢。允即命备毡车，先将貂蝉送到相府。卓亦起身告辞。允亲送董卓直到相府，然后辞回。乘马而行，不到半路，只见两行红灯照道，吕布骑马执戟而来，正与王允撞见，便勒住马，一把揪住衣襟，厉声问曰：“司徒既以貂蝉许我，今又送与太师，何相戏耶？”允急止之曰：“此非说话处，且请到草舍去。” |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
Dong Zhuo 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 twenty-one." "A perfect fairy!" said Dong Zhuo. Then Wang Yun rose and said, "If the Prime 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 Yun. Dong Zhuo thanked his host warmly. Then the orders were given to prepare a closed carriage and convey Diao Chan to the Prime Minister's palace. Soon after Dong Zhuo took his leave, and Wang Yun accompanied him the whole way. After he had taken leave, Wang Yun mounted to ride homeward. Half way he met two lines of guards with red lamps who were escorting Lu Bu who was on horseback and armed with his trident halberd. Seeing Wang Yun, Lu Bu at once reined in, stopped, seized him by the sleeve, and said angrily, "You promised Diao Chan to me, and now you have given her to the Prime Minister: What foolery is this?" Wang Yun checked him, saying, "This is no place to talk. I pray you come to my house." | |
| 16 | 王司徒巧... : | 布同允到家，下马入后堂。叙礼毕，允曰：“将军何故怪老夫？”布曰：“有人报我，说你把毡车送貂蝉入相府，是何缘故？”允曰：“将军原来不知！昨日太师在朝堂中，对老夫说：‘我有一事，要到你家。’允因此准备，等候太师。饮酒中间说：‘我闻你有一女，名唤貂蝉，已许吾儿奉先。我恐你言未准，特来相求，并请一见。’老夫不敢有违，随引貂蝉出拜公公。太师曰：‘今日良辰，吾即当取此女回去，配与奉先。’将军试思，太师亲临，老夫焉敢推阻？”布曰：“司徒少罪。布一时错见，来日自当负荆。”允曰：“小女稍有妆奁，待过将军府下，便当送至。” |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
So they went together, and Wang Yun led Lu Bu into a private room. After the usual exchange of polite greetings, Wang Yun said, "Why do you find fault with me, General?" "Somebody told me that you had sent Diao Chan to the Prime Minister's palace in a covered carriage: What does it mean?" "Of course you do not understand. Yesterday when I was at court, the Prime 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 Diao Chan whom you have promised to my son Lu Bu. I thought it was mere rumor 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 Prime Minister had come himself, could I stop him?" "You were not so very wrong," said Lu Bu. "But for a time I had misunderstood you. I owe you an apology." "The girl has a small trousseau, which I will send as soon as she has gone over to your dwelling." | |
| 17 | 王司徒巧... : | 布谢去。次日，吕布在府中打听，绝不闻音耗。布迳入堂中，寻问诸侍妾。待妾对曰：“夜来太师与新人共寝，至今未起。”布大怒，潜入卓卧房后窥探。时貂蝉起于窗下梳头；忽见窗外池中照一人影，极长大，头戴束发冠；偷眼视之，正是吕布。貂蝉故蹙双眉，做忧愁不乐之态，复以香罗频拭眼泪。吕布窥视良久，乃出；少顷，又入。卓已坐于中堂，见布来，问曰：“外面无事乎？”布曰：“无事。”侍立卓侧。卓方食，布偷目窃望，见绣帘内一女子往来观觑，微露半面，以目送情。布知是貂蝉，神魂飘荡。卓见布如此光景，心中疑忌，曰：“奉先无事且退。”布怏怏而出。 |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
Lu Bu 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 Imperial Rector had brought home a new bedfellow the night before and was not up yet. Lu Bu was very angry. Next he crept round behind his master's sleeping apartment. By this time Diao Chan had risen and was dressing her hair at the window. Looking out she saw a long shadow fall across the little lake. She recognized the headdress, and peeping around she saw it was indeed no other than Lu Bu. Thereupon she contracted her eyebrows, simulating the deepest grief, and with her dainty handkerchief she wiped her eyes again and again. Lu Bu stood watching her a long time. Soon after he went in to give morning greeting. Dong Zhuo was sitting in the reception room. Seeing his henchman, Dong Zhuo asked, "Is there anything new?" "Nothing," was the reply. Lu Bu waited while Dong Zhuo 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 Dong Zhuo noticed his expression and began to feel suspicious. "If there is nothing, you may go," said Dong Zhuo. Lu Bu sulkily withdrew. | |
| 18 | 王司徒巧... : | 董卓自纳貂蝉后，为色所迷，月馀不出理事。卓偶染小疾，貂蝉衣不解带，曲意逢迎，卓心愈喜。吕布入内间安，正值卓睡。貂蝉于床后探半身望布，以手指心，又以手指董卓，挥泪不止。布心如碎。卓朦胧双目，见布注视床后，目不转睛；回身一看，见貂蝉立于床后。卓大怒，叱布曰：“汝敢戏吾爱姬耶！唤左右逐出，今后不许入堂。” |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
Dong Zhuo now thought of nothing but his new mistress and for more than a month neglected all affairs, devoting himself entirely to pleasure. Once he was a little indisposed, and Diao Chan was constantly at his side, never even undressing to show her solicitude. She gratified his every whim. Dong Zhuo grew more and more fond of her. One day Lu Bu went to inquire after his father's health. Dong Zhuo was asleep, and Diao Chan 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 Dong Zhuo asleep, and her tears fell. Lu Bu felt heartbroken. Dong Zhuo drowsily opened his eyes; and seeing his son's gaze fixed on something behind him, he turned over and saw who it was. He angrily rebuked his son, saying, "Dare you make love to my beauty?" He told the servants to turn Lu Bu out, shouting, "Never let him enter here again!" | |
| 19 | 王司徒巧... : | 吕布怒恨而归，路偶李儒，告知其故。儒急入见卓曰：“太师欲取天下，何故以小过见责温侯？倘彼心变，大事去矣。”卓曰：“奈何？”儒曰：“来朝唤入，赐以金帛，好言慰之，自然无事。”卓依言。次日，使人唤布入堂，慰之曰：“吾前日病中，心神恍惚，误言伤汝，汝勿记心。”随赐金十斤，锦二十疋。布谢归；然身虽在卓左右，心实系念貂蝉。 |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
Lu Bu went off home very wrath. Meeting Li Ru, he told Li Ru the cause of his anger. The adviser hastened to see his master and said, "Sir, you aspire to be ruler of the empire. Why then for a small fault do you blame the General? If he turns against you, it is all over." "Then what can I do?" said Dong Zhuo. "Recall him tomorrow; treat him well; overwhelm him with gifts and fair words; and all will be well." So Dong Zhuo did so. He sent for Lu Bu and was very gracious and said, "I was irritable and hasty yesterday owing to my illness and I wronged you, I know. Forgive me." He gave Lu Bu three hundred ounces of gold and twenty rolls of brocade. And so the quarrel was made up. But though Lu Bu's body was with his adopted father Dong Zhuo, his heart was with his promised bride Diao Chan. | |
| 20 | 王司徒巧... : | 卓疾既愈，入朝议事。布执戟相随，见卓与献帝共谈，便乘间提戟出内门，上马迳投相府来；系马府前，提戟入后堂，寻见貂蝉。蝉曰：“汝可去后园中凤仪亭边等我。”布提戟迳往，立于亭下曲栏之傍。良久，貂蝉分花拂柳而来，果然如月宫仙子，泣谓布曰：“我虽非王司徒亲女，然待之如己出。自见将军，许侍箕帚，妾已生平愿足；谁想太师起不良之心，将妾淫污。妾恨不即死；止因未与将军一诀，故且忍辱偷生。今幸得见，妾愿毕矣。此身已污，不得复事英雄；愿死于君前，以明妾志！”言讫，手攀曲栏，望荷花池便跳。吕布慌忙抱住，泣曰：“我知汝心久矣！只恨不能共语！”貂蝉手扯布曰：“妾今生不能与君为妻，愿相期于来世。”布曰：“我今生不能以汝为妻，非英雄也！”蝉曰：“妾度日如年，愿君怜而救之。”布曰：“我今偷空而来，恐老贼见疑，必当速去。”貂蝉牵其衣曰：“君如此惧怕老贼，妾身无见天日之期矣！” |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
Dong Zhuo having quite recovered went to court again, and Lu Bu followed him as usual. One day, seeing Dong Zhuo deep in conversation with the Emperor, Lu Bu, 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 apartment to seek his love. He found Diao Chan, 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 Diao Chan. 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 fairy from the Palace of the Moon. Tears were in her eyes as she came up and said, "Though I am not the Minister'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 Prime 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. 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 and started into the lily pond. Lu Bu 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 Lu Bu. "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! My lord!" "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 Lu Bu. Diao Chan clung to his robe, saying, "If you fear the old thief so much, I shall never see another sunrise!" | |
| 21 | 王司徒巧... : | 布立住曰：“容我徐图良策。”语罢，提戟欲去。貂蝉曰：“妾在深闺，闻将军之名，如雷灌耳，以为当世一人而已；谁想反受他人之制乎！”言讫，泪下如雨。布羞惭满面，重复倚戟，回身搂抱貂蝉，用好言安慰。两个偎偎倚倚，不忍相离。 |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
Lu Bu 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 heroes would rest content under the dominion of another." And tears rained again! A wave 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. They could not bring themselves to say farewell. | |
| 22 | 王司徒巧... : | 却说董卓在殿上，回头不见吕布，心中怀疑，连忙辞了献帝，登车回府；见布马系于府前；问门吏，吏答曰：“温侯入后堂去了。”卓叱退左右，迳入后堂中，寻觅不见；唤貂蝉，蝉亦不见。急问侍妾，侍妾曰：“貂蝉在后园看花。” |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: | In the meantime Dong Zhuo 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 Lu Bu's well known steed Red Hare, riderless. Dong Zhuo questioned the doorkeepers, and they told him the general was within. He sent away his attendants and went alone to the private apartments. Lu Bu was not there. He called Diao Chan, but there was no reply. He asked where she was, and the waiting maids told him she was in the garden among the flowers. | |
| 23 | 王司徒巧... : | 卓寻入后园，正见吕布和貂蝉在凤仪亭下共语，画戟倚在一边。卓怒，大喝一声。布见卓至，大惊，回身便走。卓抢了画戟，挺著赶来。吕布走得快，卓肥胖赶不上，掷戟刺布。布打戟落地。卓拾戟再赶，布已走远。卓赶出园门，一人飞奔前来，与卓胸膛相撞，卓倒于地。正是： |
| Wang Yun Prepares The...: |
So Dong Zhuo went into the garden, and there he saw the lovers in the pavilion in most tender talk. Lu Bu's trident halberd was leaning on the railing beside him. A howl of rage escaped Dong Zhuo and startled the lovers. Lu Bu turned, saw who it was, and ran away. Dong Zhuo caught up the halberd and ran in pursuit. But Lu Bu was fleet of foot while his master was very stout. Seeing no hope of catching the runaway, Dong Zhuo hurled the halberd. Lu Bu fended it off and it fell to the ground. Dong Zhuo picked it up and ran on. But by this time Lu Bu was far ahead. Just as Dong Zhuo was running out at the garden gate, he dashed full tilt against another man running in, and down he went. | |
| 冲天怒气高千丈，仆地肥躯做一堆。未知此人是谁，且听下文分解。 | ||
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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. |
URN: ctp:sanguo-yanyi/ch8