第2部分(第3/7 页)

project。　As　they　were　drinking；　a　huge；　tall　fellow　appeared　pushing　a　hand…cart　along　the　road。　At　the　threshold　he　halted　and　entered　the　inn　to　rest　awhile　and　he　called　for　wine。

〃And　be　quick！〃　added　he。　〃For　I　am　in　haste　to　get　into　the　town　and　offer　myself　for　the　army。〃

Liu　Bei　looked　over　the　newer；　item　by　item；　and　he　noted　the　man　had　a　huge　frame；　a　long　beard；　a　vivid　face　like　an　apple；　and　deep　red　lips。　He　had　eyes　like　a　phoenix's　and　fine　bushy　eyebrows　like　silkworms。　His　whole　appearance　was　dignified　and　awe…inspiring。　Presently；　Liu　Bei　crossed　over；　sat　down　beside　him　and　asked　his　name。

〃I　am　Guan　Yu；〃　replied　he。　〃I　am　a　native　of　the　east　side　of　the　river；　but　I　have　been　a　fugitive　on　the　waters　for　some　five　years；　because　I　slew　a　ruffian　who；　since　he　was　wealthy　and　powerful；　was　a　bully。　I　have　e　to　join　the　army　here。〃

Then　Liu　Bei　told　Guan　Yu　his　own　intentions；　and　all　three　went　away　to　Zhang　Fei's　farm　where　they　could　talk　over　the　grand　project。

Said　Zhang　Fei；　〃The　peach　trees　in　the　orchard　behind　the　house　are　just　in　full　flower。　Tomorrow　we　will　institute　a　sacrifice　there　and　solemnly　declare　our　intention　before　Heaven　and　Earth；　and　we　three　will　swear　brotherhood　and　unity　of　aims　and　sentiments：　Thus　will　we　enter　upon　our　great　task。〃

Both　Liu　Bei　and　Guan　Yu　gladly　agreed。

All　three　being　of　one　mind；　next　day　they　prepared　the　sacrifices；　a　black　ox；　a　white　horse；　and　wine　for　libation。　Beneath　the　smoke　of　the　incense　burning　on　the　altar；　they　bowed　their　heads　and　recited　this　oath：

〃We　three………Liu　Bei；　Guan　Yu；　and　Zhang　Fei………though　of　different　families；　swear　brotherhood；　and　promise　mutual　help　to　one　end。　We　will　rescue　each　other　in　difficulty；　we