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Authors: Luo Guanzhong
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Yin’s good intentions, such an act is justified; otherwise it is usurpation.’”
Dong Zhuo was furious. He drew his sword to slay the bold speaker but two other officials remonstrated with him. “Minister Lu is a cynosure of the whole country. If you kill him now, you will offend all the people.”
Dong Zhuo stayed his hand.
Then another minister, Wang Yun, said: “An important question like this is not to be decided after a drinking party. Let it be put off till another time.” So all the officials dispersed.
As Dong Zhuo stood by the garden gate with his hand on his sword watching them depart, he noticed a warrior galloping around on a fiery steed just outside the garden. He asked Li Ru if he knew the young man.
“That is Lu Bu, also called Feng-xian. He is the adopted son of Ding Yuan. You must keep out of his way, my lord,” said Li Lu.
So Dong Zhuo went inside to avoid being seen by Lu Bu. But next day report came to him that Ding Yuan had come out of the city with his army and was challenging him to a battle. The angry Dong Zhuo went forth to accept the challenge, accompanied by Li Ru, and the two armies were drawn up in proper array.
Lu Bu was a conspicuous figure in the forefront. His hair was arranged under a handsome headdress of gold and he had donned his armor and breastplate. Over his shoulders was draped a beautifully embroidered fighting robe and around his waist was a fine belt with a lion’s head clasp. With his halberd set to strike at any moment he rode forth beside his adopted father.
Ding Yuan, pointing his finger at Dong Zhuo, began to revile the latter.
“Unfortunate enough was our empire when it was dominated by the eunuchs and the people were driven into extreme poverty. Now you, entitled to no merit at all, dare to talk about deposing the rightful Emperor and setting up another. This is to desire rebellion and no less.”
Dong Zhuo had not yet been able to reply when Lu Bu rode straight at him. He fled in haste and Ding Yuan’s army came on. He suffered a great loss and had to retreat about thirty li to set up another camp. Here he called in his subordinates for counsel.
“This Lu Bu is a marvel,” he said. “If only he could be on my side I would defy the world.”
At this one of his officers came forward and said, “Don’t worry, my lord. Lu Bu and I come from the same village and I know him well. He’s valiant but not resourceful and he puts profits before morals. I promise to persuade him to come over willingly.”
Dong Zhuo was delighted and gazed admiringly at the speaker who was Li Su, an officer in his army. “What arguments will you use with him?”
“You have a fine horse, the Red Hare, one of the best ever bred. I must have this steed, and gold and pearls to win his heart. Then I will go and persuade him. He will certainly abandon Ding Yuan’s service for yours.”
Dong Zhuo sought advice from Li Ru. “What do you think of this?”
“One cannot begrudge a horse to win an empire,” was the reply.
So Dong Zhuo gave the corrupter of morals what he demanded—the Red Hare, a thousand taels of gold, ten strings of beautiful pearls, and a jeweled belt, and these accompanied Li Su on his visit to his fellow villager. He reached the camp and said to the guards, “Please tell General Lu that a very old friend has come to visit him.”
He was admitted into the camp.
“My worthy brother, have you been well since we last met?”
“How long it is since we last saw each other!” replied Lu Bu, bowing in return. “And where are you now?”
“I am an officer in the Tiger Company. When I learned you were a strong supporter of the throne I could not say how I rejoiced. I have come now to present to you a really fine horse, a thousand li a day horse. It can cross rivers and climb hills as if it were on level ground. It is called the Red Hare. Surely it will be a fitting aid to your valor.”
Lu Bu told his men to lead the horse out for him to see. Truly
Dong Zhuo was furious. He drew his sword to slay the bold speaker but two other officials remonstrated with him. “Minister Lu is a cynosure of the whole country. If you kill him now, you will offend all the people.”
Dong Zhuo stayed his hand.
Then another minister, Wang Yun, said: “An important question like this is not to be decided after a drinking party. Let it be put off till another time.” So all the officials dispersed.
As Dong Zhuo stood by the garden gate with his hand on his sword watching them depart, he noticed a warrior galloping around on a fiery steed just outside the garden. He asked Li Ru if he knew the young man.
“That is Lu Bu, also called Feng-xian. He is the adopted son of Ding Yuan. You must keep out of his way, my lord,” said Li Lu.
So Dong Zhuo went inside to avoid being seen by Lu Bu. But next day report came to him that Ding Yuan had come out of the city with his army and was challenging him to a battle. The angry Dong Zhuo went forth to accept the challenge, accompanied by Li Ru, and the two armies were drawn up in proper array.
Lu Bu was a conspicuous figure in the forefront. His hair was arranged under a handsome headdress of gold and he had donned his armor and breastplate. Over his shoulders was draped a beautifully embroidered fighting robe and around his waist was a fine belt with a lion’s head clasp. With his halberd set to strike at any moment he rode forth beside his adopted father.
Ding Yuan, pointing his finger at Dong Zhuo, began to revile the latter.
“Unfortunate enough was our empire when it was dominated by the eunuchs and the people were driven into extreme poverty. Now you, entitled to no merit at all, dare to talk about deposing the rightful Emperor and setting up another. This is to desire rebellion and no less.”
Dong Zhuo had not yet been able to reply when Lu Bu rode straight at him. He fled in haste and Ding Yuan’s army came on. He suffered a great loss and had to retreat about thirty li to set up another camp. Here he called in his subordinates for counsel.
“This Lu Bu is a marvel,” he said. “If only he could be on my side I would defy the world.”
At this one of his officers came forward and said, “Don’t worry, my lord. Lu Bu and I come from the same village and I know him well. He’s valiant but not resourceful and he puts profits before morals. I promise to persuade him to come over willingly.”
Dong Zhuo was delighted and gazed admiringly at the speaker who was Li Su, an officer in his army. “What arguments will you use with him?”
“You have a fine horse, the Red Hare, one of the best ever bred. I must have this steed, and gold and pearls to win his heart. Then I will go and persuade him. He will certainly abandon Ding Yuan’s service for yours.”
Dong Zhuo sought advice from Li Ru. “What do you think of this?”
“One cannot begrudge a horse to win an empire,” was the reply.
So Dong Zhuo gave the corrupter of morals what he demanded—the Red Hare, a thousand taels of gold, ten strings of beautiful pearls, and a jeweled belt, and these accompanied Li Su on his visit to his fellow villager. He reached the camp and said to the guards, “Please tell General Lu that a very old friend has come to visit him.”
He was admitted into the camp.
“My worthy brother, have you been well since we last met?”
“How long it is since we last saw each other!” replied Lu Bu, bowing in return. “And where are you now?”
“I am an officer in the Tiger Company. When I learned you were a strong supporter of the throne I could not say how I rejoiced. I have come now to present to you a really fine horse, a thousand li a day horse. It can cross rivers and climb hills as if it were on level ground. It is called the Red Hare. Surely it will be a fitting aid to your valor.”
Lu Bu told his men to lead the horse out for him to see. Truly
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