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 recommend 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 company 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 becoming 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 company out of the city and be on the road on New Year's morn. We are going away."

Sun Quan held a grand court on the New Year's Day of the fifteenth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity (AD 210).

Liu Bei and his bride went into the Dowager Marchioness' presence, and Lady Sun said, "My husband has been thinking of his ancestors, who lie in the county of Zhuo, and grieves that he cannot do his duty by them. Today we wish to go to the river side and offer sacrifice toward the north. It is our duty to inform you."

"A very filial proceeding," said the Dowager. "I should not think of stopping you. Although you have never known your husband's parents, yet you may go with him to sacrifice as it is proper for a wife to do."

Both thanked the Dowager Marchioness and went out, rejoicing at having so far hoodwinked Sun Quan. Lady Sun got into her carriage taking only a little clothing with her, while Liu Bei followed with a small escort. They went out of the city of Nanxu and met Zhao Yun at the place arranged. Then with a guard in front and rear, they left the precincts of the city, traveling as quickly as they could.

That day, at the new year banquet, Sun Quan drank freely so that he had to be helped to his chamber, and the guests left. Before very long the escape of the fugitives became known, but it was then dark, and when they tried to tell Sun Quan, they could not rouse him. He slept heavily until the fifth watch.

The next morning, when Sun Quan heard the story, he asked advice of his counselors.

Zhang Zhao said, "They have got away today, but trouble will surely come of it. Therefore, pursue after them without loss of time."

So Chen Wu and Pan Zhang, with five hundred of veterans, were sent out with orders to use all speed both by day and by night and bring back the fugitives.

They left. Sun Quan's anger burned hot against Liu Bei. In his wrath he seized his jade inkstone and dashed it to the ground where it shivered to pieces.

Said Cheng Pu, "My lord, your wrath is in vain, for I do not think your generals will catch the runaways."

"Will they dare to disobey my order?" said Sun Quan.

"Our young lady had always delighted to look upon war and is very fierce and determined. All the officers fear her. Now she has gone with her husband of her own free will; and those sent in pursuit, if once they look upon her countenance, will not dare to lay hands on her."

Sun Quan's wrath burned the more fiercely at these words.

He drew the sword girded at his side and called up Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai, saying, "You two take this sword and bring back the heads of my sister and Liu Bei. And if you do not, I will put you to death."

With this order they set out in pursuit, leading a whole thousand troops. Meanwhile Liu Bei and his wife were pressing forward with all speed. When night fell, they rested for a time by the roadside, but not for long. Just as they reached the confines of Chaisang, they turned and saw a great cloud of dust and the soldiers said that a force was coming in pursuit.

"What shall we do if they come up with us?" said Liu Bei excitedly to Zhao Yun.

"My lord, you go on in front and I will prevent pursuit."

As they turned the foot of a hill, they saw a troop of soldiers blocking their road in front.

Two generals were there and they bellowed, "Liu Bei, dismount and yield yourself captive. We are here by order of Commander Zhou Yu, and you have kept us waiting long!"

Now the thought had come to Zhou Yu that Liu Bei would try to flee, and so he had sent Xu Sheng and Ding Feng, with three thousand troops, to intercept him a............