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One of them mastered the western mountains。
One ruled by the eastern sea；
And the hill to this very day
Still is the Slope Where the Horses Stood。
When they rode side by side into Nanxu； the people met them with acclamations。 Liu Bei made his way to the guest…house and there sought advice from Sun Qian as to the date of the wedding。
Sun Qian advised； 〃It should be fixed as early as possible so that no further plications could arise。〃
So next day Liu Bei went to the State Patriarch Qiao and told him in plain words； 〃Many the people of the place mean harm to me； and I cannot stay here long。 I must return soon。〃
〃Do not be anxious；〃 said the State Patriarch Qiao。 〃I will tell the Dowager Marchioness； and she will protect you。〃
Liu Bei bowed to express his thanks。
The State Patriarch Qiao saw the Dowager； and she was very angry when she heard the reason for Liu Bei's desire to leave。
〃Who would dare harm my son…in…law？〃 cried she。
But she made Liu Bei move into the library of the palace as a precaution； and she chose a day for the celebration of the wedding。 But his soldiers could not keep guard at the library and were removed from his mands。 Liu Bei explained to his hostess； and when she understood this； she gave her son…in…law and his people rooms in her own palace so that he might be quite safe。
Liu Bei was very happy； and there were fine banquets； and the bride and bridegroom duly plighted their troth。 And when it grew late and the guests had gone； the newly wedded pair walked through the two lines of red torches to the nuptial apartment。
To his extreme surprise； Liu Bei found the chambers furnished with spears and swords and banners and flags； while every waiting…maid had girded on a sword。
Walls hung with spears the bridegroom saw；
And armed waiting…maids；
His heart fell back on all its fears
Of well…laid ambuscades。
What happened will be related in the next chapter。
Main Next to Chapter 55 》》
Romance of Three Kingdoms … by Luo Guanzhong … Chapter 55
Chapter 55
Liu Bei Rouses The Spirit Of Lady Sun；
Zhuge Liang A Second Time Angers Zhou Yu。
The bridegroom turned pale。 Bridal apartments lined with weapons of war and waiting maids armed！
But the housekeeper of the lady said； 〃Do not be frightened； O Honorable One！ My lady has always had a taste for warlike things； and her maids have all been taught fencing as a pastime。 That is all it is。〃
〃Not the sort of thing a wife should ever look at；〃 said Liu Bei。 〃It makes me feel cold； and you may have them removed for a time。〃
The housekeeper went to her mistress and said； 〃The weapons in your chamber displease the handsome one。 May we remove them？〃
Lady Sun laughed； saying； 〃Afraid of a few weapons after half a life time spent in slaughter！〃
But she ordered their removal and bade the maids take off their swords while they were at work。
That night Liu Bei and Lady Sun conversed under the moonlight； and the night passed happily enough。
Next day Liu Bei distributed gifts among the maids to secure their good will。 He also sent Sun Qian to Jingzhou with news of the wedding； while he gave himself up to feasting and enjoyment。 The Dowager loved him more every day。
The results of the plot to destroy Liu Bei were thus very different from the originators' intention。 Sun Quan sent to his general：
〃My mother had insisted upon marrying her daughter to Liu Bei； and so by juggling with the fictitious； we had made it real。 What is to be done？〃
The news troubled Zhou Yu day and night； but eventually he thought but another scheme which he embodied in a letter sent to his master。 Here is the outline of the missive：
〃Contrary to expectation； the plot that I； Zhou Yu； contrived has turned the wrong way。 However； since by juggling with deceit； we have ended in a solid truth。 Our future plans must start from the actual present facts。 To the boldness of the adventurer Liu Bei is added the aid of such great leaders as Guan Yu； Zhang Fei； and Zhao Yun； not to mention that he has a strategist like Zhuge Liang。 He is not the man to remain long in a lowly position。 Wherefore I can think of no better plan than to enervate him by surrounding him with softness and keeping him in the South Land； a prisoner of luxury。 Therefore build for him a fine palace to blunt the edge of his determination and surround him with sensuous luxury。 In this way the affection of his brothers will be alienated； and Zhuge Liang will be driven away。 When this result has been attained； we can smite him and so end a great matter。 If we be at all careless； I fear the recumbent dragon may fly to the skies； it is no beast to be kept in a pond。 My lord； I pray you consider this thoroughly。〃
The letter was shown to Zhang Zhao who said； 〃My idea is identical with his。 Liu Bei began life in a humble position and for years has been a wanderer。 He has never tasted the delights of wealth。 Give him the means of luxury； a beautiful dwelling； fair women； gold and silken attire。 As he enjoys them； the thoughts of Zhuge Liang and his brothers will fade away and they； on their side； will be filled with rancor。 Thus can we lay our plans for recovering Jingzhou。 I remend action as Zhou Yu says and quickly。〃
Sun Quan then set about redecorating the Eastern Palace and laying out the grounds。 He filled the rooms with beautiful furniture for his sister and her husband。 He also sent fair damsels and musicians by the score； and many and beautiful vessels in gold and silver； and silken stuffs。 And his mother was delighted at his kindness to her son…in…law。
Indeed Liu Bei was soon so immersed in sensuous pleasure that he gave no thought to return。 Zhao Yun and the pany under him led an idle life in the front portion of the Eastern Palace； save that at times they went outside the city for archery and horse…racing。 And thus passed the year。
Suddenly Zhao Yun remembered the orders he had received and the three bags with the plans in them。 It was time to open the second one for the end of the year was nigh。 His orders were only to open the third when danger was very near and there appeared no way out。
As already remarked； the year was drawing to a close； and Zhao Yun saw his lord daily being more and more the slave of pleasure。 Liu Bei never appeared among his guards now。 So the bag was opened and in pursuance of the wonderful scheme thereby discovered； Zhao Yun went to the hall of the palace and asked to see his master。
The maid in attendance went within and said； 〃Zhao Yun has some important matter on which to see the master。〃
Liu Bei called him in and asked what the business was。
Zhao Yun assumed an attitude of great concern and said； 〃My lord； you are living happily secluded in these beautiful apartments。 Do you never think of Jingzhou？〃
〃But what is the matter that you seem so disturbed？〃 asked Liu Bei。
〃Today early Zhuge Liang sent a messenger to say that Cao Cao was trying to avenge his last defeat and was leading five hundred thousand troops to attack Jingzhou； which was in great danger。 And he wished you to return。〃
〃I must speak to my wife；〃 said Liu Bei。
〃If you consult her； she will be unwilling for you to return。 It would be better to say nothing but to start this evening。 Delay may do great damage。〃
〃Retire for a time。 I must act discreetly；〃 said Liu Bei。
Zhao Yun urged the need to return several times more； but finally went away。
Liu Bei went into his wife's rooms and began to weep silently。
Seeing his tears； Lady Sun said； 〃Why are you so sad； my husband？〃
Liu Bei replied； 〃I have been driven hither and thither all my life。 I was never able to do my duty to my parents； nor have I been able to sacrifice to my ancestors。 I have been very unfilial。 The new year is at hand； and its approach disquiets me greatly。〃
〃Do not try to deceive me；〃 said Lady Sun。 〃I heard and I know all。 Just now Zhao Yun came to tell you Jingzhou was threatened and you wish to return home。 That is why you put forward this excuse。〃
Then Liu Bei fell on his knees and said； 〃Why should I dissemble； O Wife； since you know？ I do not wish to go； but if Jingzhou be lost； I shall be an object of ridicule to everyone。 I do desire to go； but I cannot leave you。 Now you know why I am grieved。〃
She replied； 〃I am your handmaid； and whithersoever you go； it is my duty to follow。〃
〃Yes； your heart is right； but the difficulty is your mother and the Marquis。 They will be unwilling。 If you would have pity on me and let me go for a time…〃
And again the tears gushed forth。
〃Do not be so sad； my husband；〃 said Lady Sun。 〃I will implore my mother to let us go； and she will surely allow it。〃
〃Even supposing the Dowager permits； I am sure the Marquis will hinder。〃
Lady Sun said nothing for a long time while she weighed the matter thoroughly。
Presently she spoke； 〃On New Year's Day you and I will go to court and present our congratulations。 Then we will give the excuse of a sacrifice on the river bank and go away without formal leave。 Will that suit you？〃
Liu Bei knelt at her feet and expressed his gratitude。
〃I should be never so grateful；〃 said he。 〃Dead or alive I would remember your love。 But this must be a perfect secret。〃
This having been decided and the arrangements made。
Liu Bei gave Zhao Yun secret orders； saying； 〃Lead your pan