Guanyin

“ Xuande said, "My two brothers, which of you can watch over the city while I'm gone?" Lord Guan said, "I would like to watch over the city." Xuande said, "Sooner or later, I will want to discuss things with you. How can we be separated from each other?" Zhang Fei said, "I would like watch over the city." Xuande said, "You're not capable of watching over the city. For one thing, after you've been drinking, you become brazen and beat the soldiers. For another thing, you don't take your duties seriously, and don't heed the advice of others. ”

“ Once the evil Tsau Tsau had incited the enemies of his master, the Emperor, to take the city by treachery. When Guan Yu heard of it he hastened up with an army to relieve the town. But he fell into an ambush, and, together with his son, was brought a captive to the capital of the enemy's land. The prince of that country would have been glad to have had him go over to his side; but Guan Yu swore that he would not yield to death himself. Thereupon father and son were slain. When he was dead, his horse Red Hare ceased to eat and died. ”

“ Xuande invited the man to sit with them, and inquired as to his name. The man said, "My surname is Guan, my given name is Yu, my style name was Shouchang, [39] but then I changed it to Yunchang. [40] I am from Xieliang in the Hedong Commandery. Because there was a man from a wealthy family who was acting like a big shot and bullying everybody, I ended up killing him. I had to become a fugitive, and have been living the life of an itinerant mercenary for the past five or six years. When I heard that this area was recruiting soldiers to go smash bandit rebels, I came especially to join up." ”

“ O King, live for ever!” Ts‘ao Ts‘ao rode out pushing past the Emperor and acknowledged the congratulations.
They all turned pale. What did this mean? Liu Pei’s brother Kuan who was behind him was especially angry. The sleeping caterpillar eyebrows stood up fiercely and the red phoenix eyes glared as, sword in hand, he rode hastily forth to cut down the audacious Minister for his impertinence. However, his elder brother hastily waved him back and shot at him a meaning glance so that he stopped and made no further move. ”

“ So he bade the would-be pursuer begone and say no more about pursuit.
“You were exceedingly good to Kuan Yü,” said Ch‘êng Yü, “but he went off very rudely. He certainly left a screed behind with his reasons, but he affronted you and that is no light matter. Now to let him join Yüan Shao is to add wings to a tiger. You had better catch him and put him to death so as to guard against future evil.”
Ts‘ao replied, “But he had my promise and can I break my word? Each has his master. Do not pursue.” ”

“ At Yehchün he was met by Yüan Shao in person, with a great escort. Yüan-tê made a humble obeisance which Yüan Shao hastened to return and said, “I have been very distressed that, on account of my son’s illness, I did not come to your aid. It is great joy to see you; the one desire of my life is satisfied.”
Yüan-tê replied, “The poor Liu Pei you see here has long desired to take refuge with you, but fate has hitherto denied him that privilege. Now, attacked by Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, my family lost, I remembered that you, General, would receive gentlemen from all sides. ”

“ On this day, he led out his soldiers, yelling, "Liu Bei, you country bumpkin! How dare you invade my lands!" Xuande said, "I am acting in accordance with a decree from the son of heaven to go after those who are disloyal to the emperor. Your flagrant challenge of imperial authority is a crime that cannot even be atoned by death!" Ji Ling was outraged. Raising his trident, he charged on his horse toward Liu Bei. Lord Guan shouted at him, "Such a low life as you should not try to flaunt his superiority!" He rode out on his horse and engaged Ji Ling in combat. ”

“ The bandit rebel armies simultaneously stormed into the city from all four sides. Lü Bu fought like crazy, but was unable to stop the enemy. He led several hundred cavalrymen to the exterior of the palace gates and called out to Wang Yun, saying, "The situation is dire! Minister over the Masses, please get on a horse and come with me through the pass. After that, we can come with a good plan." Yun said, "If I can protect the imperial ancestral tablets and secure peace for the nation, then that is my desire. If I have no other choice, then I will allow myself to die at the hands of the enemy. ”

“ Liu Pei first followed Lü Pu, then he served Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, and next he joined himself to Yüan Shao. And he stayed with none of these, so that you can see what manner of man he is. If he come here Tsʻao Tsʻao will assuredly come against us and fight. Better cut off this messenger’s head and send it as an offering to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, who would reward you well for the service.”
Sun Ch‘ien sat unmoved while this harangue was pronounced, saying at the end, “I am not afraid of death. Liu, the Princely One, is true and loyal to the State and so out of sympathy with Lü Pu, or Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, or Yüan Shao. ”

“ At once Yüan-tê saw he was no ordinary man and asked who he was.
“Chang Fei is my name; I am usually called I-tê” replied the stranger. “I live near here where I have a farm; and I am a wine-seller and a butcher as well. And I like to become acquainted with worthy men. Your sighs as you read the notice drew me toward you.”
Yüan-tê replied, “I am of the Imperial Family, Liu by name, and my distinguishing name is Pei. An I could I would destroy these rebels and restore peace to the land, but alas! I am helpless.” ”

“ Xuande rushed to stop him, saying, "The royal court naturally has the support of the people; how can you be so rash?" The soldiers surrounded Lu Zhi and departed. Lord Guan said, "Palace guard Lu has already been arrested, and someone else will be leading the army. If we go with them, we will not have anyone that we can count on for support. It would be better to return to Zhuo Commandery. Xuande followed his suggestion, and headed his troops north. ”

“ Then suddenly the host arose and drew his sword, saying, “He who is above us being weak and irresolute is unfit for the duties of his high place. Wherefore I, as of old did I Yin and Ho Kuang, will set aside this Emperor giving him the title of Prince Hung-nung and I will place on the throne the present Prince of Ch‘ên-liu. And those who do not support me will suffer death.”
Fear seized them in its grip and they were silent, all but Yüan Shao who said that the Emperor was innocent of any fault and to set him aside in favour of a commoner was rebellion and nothing else. ”

“ Somewhat discontentedly P‘ei Yüan-shao accepted the situation and marched off, while his one-time colleague joined the train of Kuan Yü and they went toward Junan. They travelled quickly for some days and then they saw a city on a hill. From the natives they heard that the city was called Kuch‘êng and that a few months before a warrior had suddenly appeared, driven out the magistrates and taken possession. Then he had begun to recruit men, buy up horses and lay in stores. ”

“ The eight nobles all invited Xuande, Guan and Zhang to a banquet in celebration of their accomplishment; they also sent someone to Yuan Shao's camp to report the news of victory. Shao then issued orders for Sun Jian to advance his army against the enemy. Jian took Huang Gai and Cheng Pu with him to see Yuan Shu at his camp. While scratching out something in the dirt with a stick, Jian said, "There has never been any enmity between Dong Zhuo and me. Yet, I fought without regard to my own safety, personally braving the rocks and the arrows, in a life-and-death struggle. ”

“ Ts‘ao said, “I wish to attack Lü Pu. I fear not Yüan Shao, but Liu Piao and Chang Hsiu may attack me in the rear.”
Hsün Yü replied. “Both these latter have been too recently defeated to do anything so rash. But Lü Pu is a bold fighting man, and if he joined forces with Yüan Shu and they set themselves to conquer Huai and Ssŭ [1] the problem would be difficult.”
Then spoke Kuo Chia, “Let us take advantage of the moment before they have fully made up their mind. Smite before they are fully prepared.” And Ts‘ao Ts‘ao did so. Five legions with four captains were sent in advance. ”

“ You must confess that the State has rewarded you liberally. True, Kuo has seized the officers of State, but you have done the same to “The Most Revered.” Who is worse than the other?”
Li angrily drew his sword and shouted, “Did the Son of Heaven send you to mock and shame me?”
But Yang Fêng checked him. “Kuo Ssŭ is still alive,” said he, “and to slay the imperial messenger would be giving him a popular excuse to raise an army against you. And all the nobles would join him.” ”

“ No! who are you, that you dare utter such bold words? The Emperor is the son of the lawful consort and has done no wrong. Why then should he be deposed? Are you a rebel?”
The speaking was Ting Yüan, governor of Chinchow.
Cho glared at him. “There is life for those who are with me, death for those against,” roared he.
He drew his sword and made for the objector. But the watchful Li Ju had noticed standing behind Ting Yüan a particularly dangerous looking henchman of his, who was now handling his spear threateningly, and whose eyes were blazing with anger. ”

“ The messenger came back to say Wên Ch‘ou’s army was approaching , and the supply train had been abandoned and was at the mercy of the enemy. Thereupon Ts‘ao pointed to two mounds saying, “We will take refuge here for the present.”
All those near him hastened to the mounds. There Ts‘ao ordered them all to loosen their dress, lay aside their breastplates and rest a time. The horsemen turned their steeds loose.
Wên Ch‘ou’s men approached under cover. As they drew near one after another the officers told Ts‘ao saying, “The rebels are near: we ought to catch the horses and go back to Paima.” ”

“ The Evening Star is the star of metal; Sun Wu Kung also personifies a metal, hence the Evening Star appears as his apologist. As regards Li Dsing and Notscha see No. 18. As regards the Queen Mother of the West, see No. 15. As regards Yang Oerlang, see No. 17. Guan Yin is generally worshipped throughout China as the Feminine goddess. The motive of the magic flight is found frequently in fairy-tales the world over. Guan Yin is often represented holding a vase, Bau Ping. Laotsze's circlet or ring is the Tao. ”

“ I shall tell Ts‘ao Jên to besiege Yenchou and I shall go to Puyang.”
When Ch‘ên Kung heard of the enemy’s approach he spoke, saying “The enemy will be fatigued with long marches so attack quickly before they have time to recover.”
Lü Pu replied, “I, a single horseman, am afraid of none. I go and come as I will. Think you I fear this Ts‘ao Ts‘ao? Let him settle his camp; I will take him after that.”
Now Ts‘ao Ts‘ao neared Puyang and he made a camp. And soon after he led out his commanders and they arrayed their men in open and desert country. ”

“ Ts‘ao grew very angry and ordered Hsü Ch‘u to go out to battle, and, as Liu Pei’s champion, out rode Chao Yün with spear ready to thrust. The two warriors exchanged thirty bouts without advantage to either. Then there arose an earth rending shout and up came the two brothers, Yün-ch‘ang from the south-east and Fei from the south-west. The three armies then began a great attack, which proved too much for Ts‘ao’s men, fatigued by a long march, and they were worsted and fled. Yüan-tê having scored this victory returned to camp. ”

“ Wherefore I put my pride in my pocket. I trust that I may be found worthy and one day I will prove my gratitude.”
Yüan Shao received him with much pleasure and treated him exceedingly well. And they both lived in Ch‘ichou.
After the capture of Hsiaop‘ei, Ts‘ao Ts‘ao pressed on toward Hsüchou, which, after a short defence and the flight of the defenders, was surrendered by Ch‘ên Têng. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao led his army into the city, restored order and pacified the people. Next he wanted to press on to Hsiapʻi, where Kuan Yü was holding out and keeping guard of Liu Pei’s family. ”

“ General Zhang Ying said, "I will station an army at Niuzhu. Even if he has a million soldiers, he won't be able to get close to you." Before he could finish speaking, a subordinate yelled out, "I volunteer to take the lead." Everyone looked at him. It was Taishi Ci from Huang County. After Ci broke through the enemy lines at Beihai, he made his way to Liu Yao, who retained him as a subordinate. As soon as he heard that Sun Ce had arrived, he volunteered to be in the vanguard. Yao said, "You are still young. You're not yet ready to be a general. ”

“ In his own place he hastily summoned his officers to a council and said, “Sun Ts‘ê borrowed an army from me and set out on an expedition which has made him master of Chiangtung. Now he says nothing of repayment but demands the token of his pledge. Truly he is a boor and what steps can I take to destroy him?”
The Recorder, Yang Ta-chiang, replied, “You cannot do any thing against him for he is too strongly placed. You must first remove Liu Pei in revenge for having attacked you without cause, and then you may think about Sun Ts‘ê. ”

“ We shall avenge the nation from above, and pacify the citizenry from below. We seek not to be born on the same day, in the same month and in the same year. We merely hope to die on the same day, in the same month and in the same year. May the gods of heaven and earth attest to what is in our hearts. If we should ever do anything to betray our friendship, may the gods in heaven strike us dead." Having completed the oath, Xuande was declared to be eldest brother, followed by Guan Yu, with Zhang Fei as the most junior brother. ”