第131部分(第4/7 页)

　him　in　the　South　Land；　a　prisoner　of　luxury。　Therefore　build　for　him　a　fine　palace　to　blunt　the　edge　of　his　determination　and　surround　him　with　sensuous　luxury。　In　this　way　the　affection　of　his　brothers　will　be　alienated；　and　Zhuge　Liang　will　be　driven　away。　When　this　result　has　been　attained；　we　can　smite　him　and　so　end　a　great　matter。　If　we　be　at　all　careless；　I　fear　the　recumbent　dragon　may　fly　to　the　skies；　it　is　no　beast　to　be　kept　in　a　pond。　My　lord；　I　pray　you　consider　this　thoroughly。〃

The　letter　was　shown　to　Zhang　Zhao　who　said；　〃My　idea　is　identical　with　his。　Liu　Bei　began　life　in　a　humble　position　and　for　years　has　been　a　wanderer。　He　has　never　tasted　the　delights　of　wealth。　Give　him　the　means　of　luxury；　a　beautiful　dwelling；　fair　women；　gold　and　silken　attire。　As　he　enjoys　them；　the　thoughts　of　Zhuge　Liang　and　his　brothers　will　fade　away　and　they；　on　their　side；　will　be　filled　with　rancor。　Thus　can　we　lay　our　plans　for　recovering　Jingzhou。　I　remend　action　as　Zhou　Yu　says　and　quickly。〃

Sun　Quan　then　set　about　redecorating　the　Eastern　Palace　and　laying　out　the　grounds。　He　filled　the　rooms　with　beautiful　furniture　for　his　sister　and　her　husband。　He　also　sent　fair　damsels　and　musicians　by　the　score；　and　many　and　beautiful　vessels　in　gold　and　silver；　and　silken　stuffs。　And　his　mother　was　delighted　at　his　kindness　to　her　son…in…law。

Indeed　Liu　Bei　was　soon　so　immersed　in　sensuous　pleasure　that　he　gave　no　thought　to　return。　Zhao　Yun　and　the　pany　under　him　led　an　idle　life　in　the　front　portion　of　the　Eastern　Palace；　save　that　at　times　they　went　outside　the　city　for　archery　and　horse…racing。　And　thus　passed　the　year。

Suddenly　Zhao　Yun　remembered　the　orders　he　had　received　and　the　three　bags　with　the　plans　in　them。　It　was　time　to　open　the