第147部分(第2/7 页)

King　of　West　Chu；　were　fighting　Qin　under　the　Chu　banner。　Liu　Bang　was　the　first　mander　who　entered　Qin's　capital；　Xianyang。　The　loss　of　this　honor　enraged　Xiang　Yu；　and　he　was　set　to　attack　Liu　Bang's　force。　But　his　uncle　Xiang　Ba　wanted　to　mediate　the　situation；　and　Xiang　Ba　invited　Liu　Bang　to　visit　Xiang　Yu's　camp　in　Hongmen。　During　a　banquet　at　Hongmen；　Xiang　Yu's　adviser　Fan　Zeng　ordered　Xiang　Chang　to　perform　a　sword…dance　and　take　the　chance　to　kill　Liu　Bang。　However；　as　Xiang　Chang　closed　in　Liu　Bang；　Xiang　Ba　rose　to　perform　another　sword…dance　and　fend　off　the　attack。　Just　then　Liu　Bang's　general　Fan　Kuai　bursted　in；　armed　and　angry…looking。　Fan　Kuai　proclaimed　his　lord's　achievements　and　denounced　the　murder　plot。　In　the　confusion；　Liu　Bang　slipped　away　and　rushed　back　to　his　camp。　。。。。。

But　to　Liu　Bei　matters　began　to　take　on　a　serious　look。　Drawing　a　sword　of　a　servant；　he　stood　out　in　the　banquet　hall　and　cried；　〃We　brothers　have　perhaps　honored　our　meeting　with　a　little　too　much　wine。　There　is　nothing　to　say　against　that；　but　this　is　no　Hongmen　Banquet*；　where　murder　was　done。　Put　up　your　swords；　or　I　will　slay　you！〃

〃Why　wear　swords　at　all　at　a　meeting　of　two　brothers？〃　cried　Liu　Zhang；　at　the　same　time　telling　his　servants　to　surround　his　officers　and　take　away　their　weapons。

Disarmed；　they　sulkily　withdrew。

Then　Liu　Bei　called　all　the　generals　of　Liu　Zhang　to　the　upper　end　of　the　banquet　hall；　gave　them　wine；　and　said；　〃You　need　have　no　doubts。　We　two　brothers；　of　the　same　bone　and　blood；　have　talked　over　the　great　design；　and　we　are　one　in　purpose。〃

The　officers　bowed　and　retired。

Liu　Zhang　took　his　guest　by　the　hand；　saying；　〃Brother；　I　shall　never　forget　your　kindness。〃

They　sat　drinking　till　late；　b