San kuo; or, Romance of the three kingdoms (volume 1 of 2)Luo, Guanzhong
History
San kuo; or, Romance of the three kingdoms (volume 1 of 2)
Luo, Guanzhong
China -- History -- Three kingdoms, 220-265 -- Fiction
“You are surrounded with the certainty of death if you do not yield.
There is no advantage in a useless death. Wherefore your best course is
to yield to Tsʻao Tsʻao till you hear news of Liu Pei and can rejoin
him. Thus you will ensure the safety of the two ladies and also keep
inviolate the Peach Garden compact. You will preserve a useful life.
Brother, you must reflect on these things.”
“Brother, you have spoken of three advantages; now I have three
conditions. If the Minister concede these then will I doff my armour.
If he refuse, then I prefer to be guilty of the three faults and die.”
“Why should the Minister not concede them? He is most liberal and large
minded. I pray you to let me hear your conditions.”
“The first is that as I and the Imperial Uncle have sworn to support
the Hans I now submit to the Emperor and not to his minister Tsʻao. The
second condition is that suitable provision be made for the two ladies
under my care and that no one shall be allowed to approach them. The
third is that I shall be allowed to set off to rejoin Uncle Liu so soon
as I shall hear where he is, whether it be far or near. I require all
these to be satisfied; failing a single one, I will not submit.
Wherefore, Wên-yüan, I pray you hasten back and announce them.”
Chang Liao lost no time but rode back to Tsʻao Tsʻao. When he spoke of
Kuan Yü’s intention to submit to the Hans but not to Tsʻao Tsʻao, the
latter smiled, saying, “As I am the Minister of Han, so am I Han. I
grant that.”
Chang then spoke of provision due to their rank and security from
molestation for the ladies, to which Tsʻao replied, “I will give them
twice the regular amount for an Uncle of the Emperor; as for securing
them from molestation, that is simple. The ordinary domestic law is
enough. Why should there be any doubt?”
Then said Chang, “Whenever he shall get news of the whereabouts of
Yüan-tê, he must go to him.”
At this Tsʻao shook his head, saying, “Then I am merely to feed
Yün-chʻang. What is the use of this? I cannot consent.”
Chang replied, “You must know of the difference in Yü Jang’s behaviour
brought about by difference of treatment? Yüan-tê treats Yün-chʻang
just kindly and liberally; you can surely engage his heart and support
by being kinder and more liberal.”
“What you say is much to the point. I will grant the three conditions,”
said Tsʻao.
Whereupon Chang Liao left to carry the news to Kuan Yü, still on the
summit of the hill.
“Now I expect the army to withdraw so that I may enter the city to tell
the two ladies what has been arranged. After that I submit at once.”
Chang Liao rode back once more with this request and the order was
given for the army to retire ten li.
“Do not do this,” said Hsün Yü. “I fear treachery.”
“He will certainly not break faith,” said Tsʻao Tsʻao. “He is too high
principled.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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