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
Once he led his soldiers out of the city to Yangchʻêng when the
villagers, men and women, were assembled from all sides for the annual
festival. His men surrounded the place and plundered it. They took away
booty by the cart load, and women prisoners and a large number of
heads. The procession returned to the city and published a story that
they had obtained a great victory over some rebels. They burned the
heads beneath the walls and the women and jewellery were shared out
among the soldiers.
An officer named Wu Fou was disgusted at this ferocity and sought a
chance to slay the tyrant. He constantly wore a breastplate underneath
his court dress and carried concealed a sharp dagger. One day when Tung
came to court Fou met him on the steps and tried to stab him. But Cho
was a very powerful man and held him off till Lü Pu came to his help.
He struck down the assailant.
“Who told you to rebel?” said Tung.
Fou glared at him and cried, “You are not my prince, I am not your
minister: where is the rebellion? Your crimes fill the heavens and
every man would slay you. I am sorry I cannot tear you asunder with
chariots to appease the wrath of the world.”
Tung Cho bade them take him out and hack him to pieces. He only ceased
railing as he ceased to live.
Men praise Wu Fou, that loyal servant of the latter days of Han.
His valour was high as the Heavens, in all ages unequalled;
In the court itself would he slay the rebel, great is his fame!
Throughout all time will men call him a hero.
Thereafter Tung Cho always went well guarded.
At Pohai Yüan Shao heard of Tung Cho’s misuse of power and sent a
secret letter to Wang Yü.
“That rebel Cho outrages Heaven and has deposed his ruler. Men cannot
bear to speak of him. Yet you suffer his aggressions as if you knew
naught of them. How then are you a dutiful and loyal minister? I have
assembled an army and desire to sweep clean the royal habitation, but I
dare not lightly begin the task. If you are willing, then find an
opportunity to plot against this man. If you would use force I am at
your command.”
The letter arrived but Wang Yün could see no chance. One day while
among the throng in attendance, mostly men of long service, he said to
his colleagues, “This is my birthday, I pray you come to a little party
in my humble cot this evening.”
“We certainly will,” they cried, “and wish you long life.”
That night the tables were spread in an inner room and his friends
gathered there. When the wine had made a few rounds the host suddenly
covered his face and began to weep.
The guests were aghast.
“Sir, on your birthday too, why do you weep?” said they.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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