第105部分(第3/7 页)

those　who　quail　before　the　strong　and　overbear　the　weak；　who　fear　the　dagger　and　run　away　from　the　sword。　You；　Sir；　have　listened　to　Cao　Cao's　crafty　and　empty　threat；　and　it　has　frightened　you　into　advising　surrender。　Dare　you　ridicule　Su　Qin　and　Zhang　Yi？〃

Bu　Zhi　was　silenced。

Then　suddenly　another　interjected　the　question；　〃What　do　you　think　of　Cao　Cao？〃

It　was　Xue　Zong　who　had　spoken。

And　Zhuge　Liang　replied；　〃Cao　Cao　is　one　of　the　rebels　against　the　dynasty。　Why　ask　about　him？〃

〃You　are　mistaken；〃　said　Xue　Zong。　〃The　Hans　have　outlasted　their　allotted　time；　and　the　end　is　near。　Cao　Cao　already　has　two…thirds　of　the　empire；　and　people　are　turning　to　him。　Your　master　has　not　recognized　the　fateful　moment；　and　to　contend　with　a　man　so　strong　is　to　try　to　smash　stones　with　eggs。　Failure　is　certain。〃

Zhuge　Liang　angrily　replied；　〃Why　do　you　speak　so　undutiful　words；　as　if　you　knew　neither　father　nor　prince？　Loyalty　and　filial　duty　are　the　essentials　of　a　person's　being。　For　a　minister　of　Han；　correct　conduct　demands　that　one　is　pledged　to　the　destruction　of　anyone　who　does　not　follow　the　canon　of　a　minister's　duty。　Cao　Cao's　forbears　enjoyed　the　bounty　of　Han；　but　instead　of　showing　gratitude；　he　nourishes　in　his　bosom　thoughts　of　rebellion。　The　whole　world　is　incensed　against　him；　and　yet　you　would　claim　for　him　the　indication　of　destiny。　Truly　you　are　a　man　who　knows　neither　father　nor　prince；　a　man　unworthy　of　any　words；　and　I　decline　to　argue　with　you　further。〃

The　blush　of　shame　overspread　Xue　Zong's　face；　and　he　said　no　more。

But　another；　Lu　Ji；　took　up　the　dispute　and　said；　〃Although　Cao　Cao　overawes　the　Emperor　and　in　his　name　coerces　the　nobles；　yet　he　is　the　descendant　of　the　Supreme　Ancestor's　Prime　Mini