第185部分(第2/7 页)

ad　arrived。　At　once　Guan　Yu　bade　them　saddle　his　charger。

〃Father；　you　are　not　strong　enough　to　go　into　the　battle；〃　said　Guan　Ping。

〃Xu　Huang　and　I　were　once　friends；　and　I　know　what　he　can　do　and　not　do。　I　will　give　him　the　chance　to　retire。　If　he　does　not　take　it；　then　I　shall　just　slay　him　as　a　warning　to　the　others。〃

Mounting　his　charger；　Guan　Yu　rode　out　as　impetuously　as　of　yore；　and　the　sight　of　the　old　warrior　made　to　quake　the　hearts　of　the　troops　of　Wei。

When　he　came　close　enough　to　his　enemy；　Guan　Yu　checked　his　steed　and　said；　〃Where　is　my　friend　Xu　Huang？〃

As　a　reply；　the　gate　of　the　battle　opened；　and　Xu　Huang　appeared　under　the　standard。

With　a　low　bow　Xu　Huang　said；　〃Some　years　have　passed　since　I　met　you；　Most　Excellent　Marquis；　but　I　had　not　expected　to　see　you　so　gray。　I　have　not　forgotten　the　old　brave　days；　when　we　were　together　and　you　taught　me　so　much；　and　I　am　very　grateful。　Your　new　fame　has　spread　throughout　the　whole　empire；　and　your　old　friends　cannot　but　praise　you。　I　am　indeed　glad　that　I　have　the　happiness　to　see　you。〃

Guan　Yu　replied；　〃We　have　been　excellent　friends；　Xu　Huang………better　than　most。　But　why　have　you　pressed　my　son　so　hardly　of　late？〃

Xu　Huang　suddenly　turned　to　the　officers　about　him　and　cried　fiercely；　〃I　would　give　a　thousand　ounces　of　gold　for　this　Guan　Yu's　head。〃

Guan　Yu；　greatly　shocked；　said；　〃What　did　you　say　that　for？〃

〃Because　today　I　am　on　state　business；　and　I　have　no　inclination　to　let　private　friendship　override　my　public　duty。〃

As　he　said　this；　he　whirled　his　battle…ax　and　rode　at　Guan　Yu；　who；　greatly　enraged；　threw　up　his　great　saber　to　strike。　They　fought　a　half　score　bouts；　but　although　his　skill　lacked　nothing　of　its　pristine　vi