第189部分(第2/7 页)

aid　the　architect。　〃About　ten　miles　from　the　city　there　is　the　Pool　of　the　Leaping　Dragon。　Near　it　is　a　shrine；　and　beside　that　grows　a　fine　pear　tree。　It　is　over　a　hundred　spans　high；　and　that　will　serve　for　the　roof　tree。〃

Cao　Cao　at　once　sent　people　to　fell　the　tree。　But　after　one　whole　day　of　labor　they　came　back　to　say　they　could　make　no　impression　on　it　neither　with　saw　nor　ax。　Cao　Cao；　doubting　their　word；　went　to　see。　When　he　had　dismounted　and　stood　by　the　tree；　he　could　not　but　admire　its　size　and　proportions；　as　it　rose　above　him　tall；　straight　and　branched　till　the　wide…spreading　and　symmetrical　top　reached　into　the　clouds。　But　he　bade　the　men　attack　it　again。

Then　a　few　aged　people　of　the　village　came　and　said；　〃The　tree　has　stood　here　some　centuries　and　is　the　haunt　of　a　spirit。　We　think　it　should　not　be　cut　down。〃

Cao　Cao　grew　annoyed；　saying；　〃I　have　gone　to　and　fro　in　the　world　now　some　thirty　years；　and　there　is　no　one；　from　the　Emperor　to　the　moner；　who　does　not　fear　me。　What　spirit　is　there　who　dares　oppose　my　wish？〃

Drawing　the　sword　he　was　wearing；　Cao　Cao　went　up　to　the　tree　and　slashed　at　the　trunk。　The　tree　groaned　as　he　struck；　and　blood　stains　spattered　his　dress。　Terror…stricken；　he　threw　down　the　sword；　mounted　his　horse　and　galloped　off。

But　that　evening　when　he　retired　to　rest；　he　could　not　sleep。　He　rose；　went　into　the　outer　room；　and　sat　there　leaning　on　a　low　table。　Suddenly　a　man　appeared　with　his　hair　unbound；　dressed　in　black　and　carrying　a　naked　sword。

The　visitor　came　straight　toward　Cao　Cao；　stopped　in　front　of　him　and；　pointing；　cried　out；　〃Behold　the　Spirit　of　the　Pear　Tree！　You　may　desire　to　build　your　nine…hall　pavilion；　and　you　may　contemplate　rebellion。　But　when　you　began　to　attack　m