第48部分(第4/7 頁)

m　between　the　ox…horns。〃

〃The　advice　seems　good；〃　said　Lu　Bu。

Lu　Bu　went　back　to　his　palace　and　prepared　his　weapons。　As　it　was　the　depth　of　winter；　he　made　his　army　take　plenty　of　wadded　clothing　to　keep　them　warm。　Lady　Yan；　his　wife；　heard　of　it　and　came　to　ask　whither　he　was　going。　He　told　her　of　Chen　Gong's　plan。

She　said；　〃My　lord；　you　are　leaving　an　undamaged　city；　abandoning　your　wife　and　little　ones；　and　going　with　a　paltry　force。　Should　any　untoward　event　happen；　will　your　handmaid　and　her　lord　ever　meet　again？〃

Lu　Bu　hesitated　and　for　three　days　made　no　move。

Then　Chen　Gong　came　to　see　him　again　and　said；　〃The　enemy　are　all　round　the　city；　and　unless　you　go　out　soon；　you　will　be　quite　hemmed　in。〃

〃I　am　thinking　it　would　be　better　to　maintain　a　stubborn　defense；〃　said　Lu　Bu。

〃Our　enemies　are　short　of　food　and　have　sent　for　supplies　to　Xuchang。　These　will　soon　arrive；　and　you　should　go　out　with　some　veterans　and　intercept　the　convoy。　That　loss　would　be　a　heavy　blow。〃

Lu　Bu　agreed　and　went　in　to　tell　his　wife　the　new　plan。

She　wept　saying；　〃If　you　go；　do　you　think　Chen　Gong　and　others　equal　to　the　defense　of　the　city？　Should　anything　go　wrong；　you　would　be　very　sorry。　You　abandoned　me　at　Changan；　and　it　was　only　through　the　fortunate　kindness　of　Pang　Shu　that　I　was　hidden　from　our　enemies　and　rejoined　you。　Who　would　have　thought　you　would　leave　me　again？　But　go；　go　your　way　as　far　as　you　wish；　and　do　not　mind　your　wife。〃

And　she　wept　bitterly。

Lu　Bu　very　sadly　went　to　take　leave　of　Diao　Chan　who　said；　〃You　are　my　lord　and　my　life。　You　must　not　be　careless　and　ride　out　alone。〃

〃You　need　not　fear。　With　my　mighty　trident　halberd　and　Red　Hare；　who　dare　e　near　me？〃

He　went　out。