by Luo Guanzhong
Today's excerpt is from Chapter 5. Previously
19In the moonlight, Hua Xiong's army could see the red headband in the distance. They surrounded it on all four sides, but did not dare advance. It was not until they shot at it with arrows that they realized that it was a ruse and moved forward to take down the red headband. Zu Mao charged out of the woods, with both swords drawn, in an attempt to cut down Hua Xiong. Xiong let out a yell, and cut Zu Mao down from his horse. The slaughter continued until daybreak before Xiong led his troops back up the pass.
Cheng Pu, Huang Gai and Han Dang all came to find Sun Jian, then they gathered up their troops and set up camp. Jian was beside himself with grief over the death of Zu Mao. He dispatched someone to travel through the night to report to Yuan Shao. Shao was shocked, saying, "I would not have imagined that Sun Wentai could have been defeated at the hands of Hua Xiong!" He then gathered together all of the nobles to discuss the matter. Everyone had arrived, with the exception of Gongsun Zan, who came late. Shao invited them to come into his tent and sit according to rank. Shao said, "The other day, General Bao's younger brother did not go where he was assigned, and took it upon himself to advance. As a result, he was killed along with many of his soldiers; and now, Sun Wentai has been defeated by Hua Xiong. These are huge setbacks for us, what shall we do?" None of the nobles said anything.
20
Shao looked up and fixed his gaze on the three men standing behind Gongsun Zan. They had an unusual appearance, and were all sneering. Shao asked, "Who are the people behind Commandery governor Gongsun?" Zan bade Xuande to step up, then said, "This is a colleague that I have known since childhood. His name is Liu Bei, and he is from Pingyuan County." Cao Cao said, "Isn't this the same Liu Xuande who smashed the Yellow Turbans?" Zan said, "It is." Then he ordered Liu Xuande to come pay his respects. Zan explained in detail Xuande's deeds and his background. Shao said, "Seeing as how you are a member of the house of Han, come take a seat." Thus, he ordered him to sit. Bei humbly declined. Shao said, "I am not honoring your deeds or your noble rank, but rather the fact that you are a descendant of the imperial household." With that, Xuande sat in the last and most inferior position. Guan and Zhang stood in attendance behind him, their hands respectfully clasped in front of their chests.
21
Suddenly, a scout came with a report, "Hua Xiong has led armored cavalry down the pass, and was waving Commandery Governor Sun's red headband on the end of a long bamboo pole. He came to the front of our stronghold, cursing and challenging us to fight." Shao said, "Who will dare to go out and fight?" The brave general named Yu She came out from behind Yuan Shu, saying, "I would like to go." Shao was pleased, and instructed Yu She to head out. A report immediately came back, "Yu She had gone for no more than three bouts with Hua Xiongbefore he was cut down by Hua Xiong." Everyone was shocked. Commandery governor Han Fu said, "A general of mine named Pan Feng can cut down Hua Xiong." Shao immediately ordered him into battle. Pan Feng held a large battle ax as he mounted his horse. After he was gone for not that long, someone came galloping back with a report, "Pan Feng was also cut down by Hua Xiong." Everyone was crestfallen. Shao said, "It is a shame that my two generals, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, are not here! If either one of them were here, what reason would there be for us fear Hua Xiong!"
Continued next week. Tomorrow is Poetry Day here at Literature Daily.
This is one of four great novels from China, published when it was the most highly civilization in the world. Map shows China at the time of this story.
Chapter Summary: A forged imperial edict is issued: all towns respond to Lord Cao; breaking through the soldiers at the pass: three heroes battle Lü Bu.
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This translation from Wikipedia. See license CC-BY-SA.
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