第86部分(第4/7 页)

Now　oxen　and　horses　had　been　slaughtered　and　a　grand　banquet　prepared。　Liu　Bei　rode　to　the　residence　on　the　horse　of　ill　omen；　and　when　he　arrived；　the　steed　was　led　into　the　back　part　of　the　enclosure　and　tethered　there。　Soon　the　guests　arrived；　and　Liu　Bei　took　his　place　as　master　of　the　feast；　with　the　two　sons　of　the　Imperial　Protector；　one　on　each　side。　The　guests　were　all　arranged　in　order　of　rank。　Zhao　Yun　stood　near　his　lord　sword　in　hand　as　a　faithful　henchman　should　do。

Then　Wen　Ping　and　Wang　Wei　came　to　invite　Zhao　Yun　to　the　banquet　they　had　prepared　for　the　military　officers。　But　he　declined。　However；　Liu　Bei　told　him　to　go；　and；　after　some　demur；　he　went。　Then　Cai　Mao　perfected　his　final　arrangements；　placing　his　people　surrounding　the　place　like　a　ring　of　iron。　The　three　hundred　guards　that　formed　the　escort　of　Liu　Bei　were　sent　away　to　the　guest…house。

All　were　ready　and　awaiting　the　signal。　At　the　third　course；　Yi　Ji　took　a　goblet　of　wine　in　his　hands　and　approached　Liu　Bei；　at　the　same　time　giving　him　a　meaningful　look。　Then　in　a　low　voice　he　said；　〃Make　an　excuse　to　get　sway。〃

Liu　Bei　understood　and　presently　rose　and　went　to　the　inner　chamber；　and　then　he　went　to　the　backyard。　There　he　found　Yi　Ji；　who　had　gone　thither　after　presenting　the　cup　of　wine。

Yi　Ji　then　told　him；　saying；　〃Cai　Mao　plots　to　kill　you；　and　all　the　roads　have　been　guarded　except　that　to　the　west。　My　lord；　you　must　lose　no　time　to　depart。〃

Liu　Bei　was　quite　taken　aback。　However；　he　got　hold　of　the　Dilu　horse；　opened　the　door　of　the　garden；　and　led　it　out。　Then　he　took　a　flying　leap　into　the　saddle　and　galloped　off　without　waiting　for　the　escort。　He　made　for　the　west　gate。　At　the　gate　the　wardens　wanted　to　question　him；　but　he　only　whipped