Waiting For The Rabbit

Waiting For The Rabbit

During the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BCE), there was a farmer in the state of Song.

One day, this farmer saw a rabbit running wildly in the farm and collided onto a tree stump and died.

The farmer was so happy and took that as an accidental gift. He took the dead rabbit back to roast and had a great meal.

Next day, he put down all his equipments and stopped farming. He just sat by the tree stump throughout the day, waiting for the rabbit to collide into the stump again, hoping for another great roasted rabbit meal.

One day... two days... ten days passed by.

Nothing happen, of course.

One month... two months passed by.

The farmer never see another rabbit colliding into the tree stump. And the worst was, his farm became unfertile and grew wild grasses instead.

Lesson To Be Learned:

Luck seldom happen twice. Depending solely on luck for one's life is just like the farmer waiting for another rabbit to run into the tree stump. Get real! Act. Don't wait. Only through one's diligence and hard work can one be successful and comfortable.

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King of Cambodian; The Most-Lonely King in the World

The huge Royal Palace which located at the downtown of Phnompenh, the capital of Cambodia, is one of the must-visited site for the foreign tourists. But, settled in the palace, there lives a king who is probably the most-lonely king of the world's kings, namely King Norodom Sihamoni who is now 58 years old.

Cambodia's royal family has a long history of more than two thousand years, and now Sihamoni is likely to be the last king in this kingdom. King Sihamoni has a gentle personality, quiet, not gregarious, and he was an ex-ballet dancer. He has a good talent on arts, but not on politics. However, because the king predecessors, namely King Sihanouk, suddenly releasing his throne in 2004, at the urging and Royal Families pressure to go 'on the throne ", Sihamoni was forced to return to his country to continue the throne, the throne that he never wanted.

Sad, Lonely, Marginalized

According to China Daily, June 11 issue, during this last 7 years, Sihamoni rarely appeared in the media. Many Cambodians said he was "sad, lonely, and marginalized". Not only caused by his gentle personality, but also caused by the marginalization done by Cambodian Minister, PM  Hunsen.

The news says that, every single movement of King Sihamoni are being monitored by Hunsen’s right-hand constantly; the Minister of Palace Affairs, Kong Song Ou.

In recent times, every Sihamoni's schedules outside the Royal Palace (but rarely happened) are being watched by Hunsen. There are staffs who accompanied him, and the media was forbidden to cover any single news or report. Even the Cambodian National Law gives some powers to the king, but Sihamoni was not given any power. Board members of Congress from the opposition party; Kazakh Song, called Sihamoni as the "puppet king", because his power has been destroyed.



Source: "THE EPOCH TIMES"

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Two Bad Bricks (especially for the one who is not confident enough)

Life Tutors said, "Life Isn't Perfect. There will be a few obstacles to make it imperfect. Hence, what we have to do is: look at the good part, and forget the worse part!"

After we purchased the land for our monastery in 1983 we were broke. We were in debt. There were no buildings on the land, not even a shed. Those first few weeks we slept not on beds but on old doors we had bought cheaply from the salvage yard; we raised them on bricks at each corner to lift them off the ground.  (There were no mattresses, of course -- we were forest monks.)

The abbot had the best door, the flat one. My door was ribbed with a sizeable hole in the center where the door where the doorknob would have been. I joked that now I wouldn’t need to get out of bed to go to the toilet! The cold truth was, however, that the wind would come up through that hole. I didn’t sleep much those nights.

We were poor monks who needed buildings. We couldn’t afford to employ a builder – the materials were expensive enough. So I had to learn how to build: how to prepare the foundations, lay concrete and bricks, erect the roof, put in the plumbing – the whole lot. I had been a theoretical physicist and high-school teacher in lay life, not used to work with my hands. After a few years, I became quite skilled at building, even calling my crew the BBC (“Buddhist Building Company”). But when I started it was very difficult.

It may look easy to lay a brick; a dollop of mortar underneath. A little tap here. But when I began laying bricks, I’d tap one corner down to make it level and another corner would go up. So I’d tap that corner down then the brick would move out of line. After I nudged it back into line, the first corner would be too high again. Hey, you try it!

Being a monk, I had patience and as much time as I needed. I made sure every single brick is perfect, no matter how long it took. Eventually, I completed my first brick wall and stood back to admire it. It was only then that I noticed –oh no! – I’d missed two bricks. All the other bricks were nicely in line, but these two were inclined at an angle. They looked terrible.  They spoiled the whole wall. They ruined it.

By then, the cement mortar was too hard for the bricks to be taken out, so I asked the abbot if I could knock the wall down and start over again—or, even better, perhaps blow it up. I’d made a mess of it and I was very embarrassed. The abbot said no, the wall had to stay.

When I showed our first visitor around our fledging monastery, I always tried to avoid taking them past my brick wall. I hated anyone seeing it. Then, one day, some three of four months after I finished it, I was walking with a visitor and he saw the wall.

“That’s a nice wall,’ he casually remarked.

“Sir,” I replied in surprise, “have you left your glasses in your car? Are you visually impaired? Can’t you see those two bricks which spoil the whole wall?”

What he said next changed my whole view of that wall, of myself, and many other aspects of life. He said, “Yes. I can see those two bad bricks. But I can see the 998 good bricks as well.”

I was stunned. For the first time in over three months, I could see other bricks in that wall apart from the two mistakes. Above, below, to the left and to the right of the bad bricks were good bricks, perfect bricks. Moreover, the perfect bricks were many, many more than the two bad bricks. Before, my eyes would focus exclusively on my two mistakes; I was blind to everything else. That was why I wanted to destroy it. Now, I can see the good bricks, the wall didn’t look so bad after all. It was, as the visitor had said, “a nice brick wall.” It’s still there now, twenty years later, but I’ve forgotten exactly where those two bricks are. I literally cannot see those mistaken any more.

How many people end a relationship or get divorced because all they can see in their partner are “two bad bricks”? How many of us because depressed or even contemplate suicide because all we can see in ourselves are “two bad bricks”. In truth, there are many, many more good bricks, perfect bricks above, below, to the left and to the right of the faults but at times we just can’t see them.  Instead every time we look out eyes focus exclusively on the mistakes. The mistakes are all we see, they’re all we think are there and so we want to destroy them. And sometimes, sadly, we do destroy a “very nice wall.”

We’ve all got our two bad bricks, but the perfect bricks in each one of us are much, much more than the mistakes. Once we see this, things aren’t so bad. Not only can we live at peace with ourselves, include of our faults, but we can also enjoy living with a partner. This is bad news for divorce lawyers, but good news for you.

I have told this anecdote many times. After one occasion, a builder came up to me and told me a professional secret. “We builders always make mistakes,” he said, “But we tell our clients that it is ‘an original feature’ with no other house in the neighborhood like it. And then we charge them a couple of thousand dollars extra!”

So the “unique features” in your house probably started out as mistakes. In the same way, what you might take to be mistakes in yourself, in your partner, or in life in general, can become “unique features”, enriching your time here—once you stop focusing on them exclusively. 

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Where was Jesus Christ between the ages of 13 and 30?

• Nobody knows. Many countries claim he travelled and came to thier land, the most likley explanation that has been put forward is that he was just growing up and learning his fathers trade, he'd often sit at the steps of the religious buildings and listen to them debate thier religion. But nobody actually knows and there's no evidence of what he did.

• Another (more fanciful!) answer is the legend that on at least one occasion the Christ child visited the UK (then known as 'Albion' or 'Britannia') with Joseph of Arimathea who was a rich merchant. The story goes that they sailed up to what is now Glastonbury in SW UK (which at that time was surrounded by water, although the marshes are now drained). There is no real substance to this story, although certain features fit. There was a great deal of trade between the UK and Judea as both were parts of the Roman Empire, and the Romans needed lead mined in the Mendip Hills near Glastonbury (remains of their workings can still be seen). Joseph was said to have planted his hawthorn walking stick in Wearyall Hill in Glastonbury which took root and grew. Descendents of this 'Holy Thorn' are still seen in the Glastonbury area, the only other examples of this particular variety of thorn being found in the Holy Land. It is said that after the crucifixion and resurrection Joseph brought the Holy Grail (the cup used at the last supper) back to Glastonbury hiding it in an area of Glastonbury now known as the 'Chalice Gardens'. The story was immortalised in William Blake's poem 'Jerusalem' (see http://www.poetry-online.org/blake_jerusalem.htm). It's all very fanciful and circumstantial, and unlikely to be true... but an interesting story nevertheless. Interesting enough even to enthrall King Arthur to look for the Holy Grail at Glastonbury... but that's another tale (or another fancy?).

• There are many, even more far-fetched stories about his being in India, and even 'buried' in India thanks to supposed evidence called the St Issa scroll. The 'Jesus in India' idea did not spring up until the 1800s during when there were many silly ideas postuated about Christianity amd many cults (like Mormonism and the Watchtower organisation) founded. The only support of the Issa question comes from journalist Nicolas Notovitch, sect leader Levi Dowling and professional sceptic Matilda Ludendorff. None of these were trained historians and none Bible scholars. None are given any creedence by the historical, archaeological or Biblical intelligensia simply because their basis for fanciful musings are so untenable. The St Issa scroll

The facts are simple. The early life of Jesus was never recorded because the gospel writers did not deem this important. After his prologue John, the closest to Jesus of all the apostles, simply records his last three years of ministry - what he knew to be important. mark does the same. Matthew does the same except to record his birth stories solely with the purpose of showing fulfilment of the prophesies foretelling the messiah. Luke records the birth stories, and the story of Jesus in the Temple solely for the purpose of reinforcing Jesus' divinity. If one, even today, was compiling, say, a biography of Adolf Hitler, one would not include any information about his childhood, or his teen years, unless it was relevant to what made him an evil tyrant during World War 2, and any biography would naturally concentrate almost solely on his rise to power and his leadership of Nazi Germany. The Gospels are concerned primarily with the divinity and mission of Christ and therefore concentrate on this period only - after all, this is the period with which followers were interested.


Nevertheless, we can glean some information from the gospels. First, there is absolutely no hint of any suspicion that Jesus left Galilee between the ages of 13 and 30. We know he had brothers and sisters - James, the brother of Jesus became a great Church leader and wrote a great deal (including the letter attributed to him in the New Testament) - again with no hint. Nor a hint from his mother, nor from his disciples, nor from Paul. Nor from any of the other writers of the new testament. Nor from the many writers of the Early Church who either knew Jesus first hand or whose teachers knew him. Secondly, we are told that the crowds in Nazareth had no idea where Jesus had such insight into the Law. If he had been away for most of his life they would have had some idea. After hearing him preach, they all commented 'is this not the carpenter's son?', or, on another occasion 'is this not the carpenter?' suggesting that he was well known to them all long before the start of his mission. Another simple fact is that Jesus was rejected in his home town of Nazareth as he was so well known and many could not understand how the local carpenter should suddenly become as he did. This is hardly the response of people if Jesus was a stranger returned from a time in India. There are countless other pieces of evidence obtainable from the four gospels if one knows them well that pours scorn on any theory that Jesus left that area, even if he could - as travel to and from Jerusalem was not only physically difficult, but it was almost impossible to travel outside the empire because of the regime that they found themselves. Sadly there are those who have commented here who do notknow the life of Jesus well, and, because of their ignorance of these things, jump on any bandwagon either to pin fantastic stories to this man that have no basis in truth, or to discredit the man-God whom billions of Christians have worshipped over the last two millennia. Their ideas are as fanciful (and offensive) as saying Hitler was really a nice guy but misunderstood.

• Many people have wondered this over the years, and the truth is, only Jesus himself could say for sure. In the Bible there is a time gap between those ages; however, many people subscribe to the belief that for those 18 years of his life Jesus was having fellowship time with his father as well as preparing for what he knew he had to do in the future. Remember, no one just all of a sudden decides to live a perfect life and die a horrific death on a cross, that takes about 18 years of preparation.

• The current Christian Bible does not mention this issue. During the medieval period there were numerous semi-Bible books of questionable authenticity that detailed youthful adventures. These include the idea that "Jesus" was a jew named Yeshua Ben Yosef who from age 18 - 30 trained in India. He challenged the gurus old ways of a caste system and was kicked out then came back to perform all those miracles with his new found knowledge from the east. 
• The St. Issa Scroll is another text which is believed to support the theory that Jesus was buried in Kashmir following the crucifixion. The scroll, found in a Buddhist monastery in Hemis, records the travels of a Jewish boy to the East, a fact that some historians, such as Nicholas Notorich believe explains the absence of documentation regarding Jesus' life in the Gospels between the ages of 12 and 30. Supporters of this theory who believe that the Kashmir tomb is that in which Jesus is buried, also point to the fact that the parables attributed to Jesus in the Gospels, such as the parable of the Sower, were attributed to Yus Asaph.

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Biography of Jesus

Jesus, The Son of God

Unlike most biographies, the Jesus Christ biography does not begin with His birth, or even with His conception. Jesus Christ's biography can be understood more fully if we realize the Bible uses many names to refer to Jesus Christ. John referred to Jesus Christ as "the Word" when he wrote, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning" (John 1:1-2). This tells us that the Jesus Christ biography begins in eternity past - with God. 

The first recorded acts in Jesus Christ's biography go back to creation. "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made" (John 1:3). Although not mentioned by name, this Scripture tells us that He was there, and Scripture records God's words as "Let US make man in OUR image, in OUR likeness. . ." (Genesis 1:26), indicating that the Father was not alone at the time of creation. 

Birth: Some would think of a Jesus Christ biography in terms of His life here on earth. For that we must begin not at His birth but at His conception, for both of these events were unlike any other in history. The earthly life of Jesus is the only one that begins with a spiritual conception, with no man present. This conception was foretold by the angel Gabriel in Luke 1:26-35. His birth was the only one to ever open a womb, since He was born of a young Jewish virgin. Because of a government census His mother, Mary, and His stepfather, Joseph, had to travel to Bethlehem. This is where Jesus was born in a lowly stable. His birth was announced by angels to shepherds, and by a special star to wise men in a far country. At eight days of age, he was dedicated in the Temple according to Jewish custom. 

Childhood: At an early age, Jesus and his family fled to Egypt because an angel warned Joseph in a dream of impending danger. When they returned from Egypt, they settled in Galilee, in the town of Nazareth. At the age of twelve, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem with Mary and Joseph to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. When His parents could not find Him in their group of relatives and friends on the return trip, they returned to Jerusalem and "After three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard Him was amazed at His understanding and His answers. When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. His mother said to Him, 'Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.' 'Why were you searching for me?' he asked. 'Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?' "(Luke 2:46-49). After that, He returned to Nazareth with them, was obedient, and continued to grow "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." (Luke 2:52) 

Adult/ Public Ministry: At approximately 30 years of age, Jesus entered into the public awareness. John the Baptist had preached of the coming Messiah, preparing the way for Jesus' ministry. John baptized Jesus, and as Jesus prayed at the time of His baptism, "heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'" (Luke 3:21-22). After this, Jesus went into the wilderness for a time of fasting and prayer in preparation for His ministry. Then the devil came to Him and tempted Him. Rather than succumbing to the temptations, Jesus answered with Scripture, setting a pattern for His followers to handle temptations for ages to come. 

Jesus began to preach a message of repentance, and from among His followers hand-picked twelve men with whom He worked most closely, teaching them even more intensely than to the multitudes. These men have come to be known as the twelve disciples, or the apostles. The teaching and preaching of Jesus convicted, challenged, or encouraged those who heard, while some were simply entertained and others were angered. Jesus performed many miracles of healing and restoration, as well as miracles designed to teach a lesson. 

A Jesus Christ biography is intensely interesting - and can be studied in depth in the pages of Scripture, especially the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. However, the primary reason for Jesus' earthly life was "to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10) Jesus sought the lost through His teaching and preaching. Then He provided the way of salvation from sin (the only way to Heaven) by way of the ultimate sacrifice, the one that only He could make - His crucifixion on Calvary, followed by His resurrection from the dead after three days. Thus He conquered death and the grave for all who would put their faith in Him. 

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ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS - PART 7

Chapter 7

Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun Zan At The River Pan;
Sun Jian Attacks Liu Biao Across The Great River.         

At the close of the last chapter Sun Jian was surrounded. However, aided by Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang, he eventually fought his way through, though with the loss of more than half his troops. Sun Jian he returned to the South Land, southeast of the Great River*. Henceforward Sun Jian and Liu Biao were open enemies.

Yuan Shao was in Henei. Being short of supplies, he sent to borrow from the Imperial Protector of Jizhou, Han Fu, whence he obtained the wherewithal to support his army.

Then one of Yuan Shao's advisers, Peng Ji, said to him, "You are really the strongest power here about. 

Why then depend upon another for food? Jizhou Region is rich and wide. Why not seize it?"

"I have no good plan," replied Yuan Shao.

"You could secretly send a letter to Gongsun Zan, asking him to attack, promising him your support. Imperial Protector Han Fu of Jizhou, being incapable, must ask you to take over his region, and you will get it without lifting a finger."

So the letter was sent. When Gongsun Zan saw therein the proposal to make a joint attack and divide the territory, he agreed to give his help. In the meantime Yuan Shao had sent to warn Han Fu of Gongsun Zan's threat. Han Fu sought advice from Advisers Xun Chang and Xin Ping.

Xun Chang said, "Governor Gongsun Zan of Beiping is commanding a huge and strong army. If he came to attack us, we could not stand against him, especially if he had the help of Liu Bei and his brothers. At present, Yuan Shao is bolder than most, and he has many able and famous leaders under him. You cannot do better than ask him to assist in administering this region. Yuan Shao will certainly treat you with generosity, and you need have no fear from Gongsun Zan."

Han Fu agreed and sent a message to Yuan Shao by the hand of Guan Chun.

But Commander Geng Wu remonstrated with his master, saying, "Yuan Shao is a needy man with a hungry army and as dependent on us for existence as an infant in arms on its mother. Stop the flow of milk and the infant dies. Why should you hand the region over to him? It is nothing less than letting a tiger into the sheepfold."

Han Fu replied, "I am one of the clients of the Yuan family, and I know the abilities of Yuan Shao, which is far better than mine. Why are you all so jealous? The ancients counseled yielding to the sage."

Geng Wu sighed, "Jizhou is lost!"

When the news got abroad, more than thirty officers of Jizhou left their employment and the city. However, Geng Wu and Guan Chun hid in the suburbs to await the arrival of Yuan Shao. They had not long to wait. Some days later, Yuan Shao with his soldiers came, and Geng Wu and Guan Chun tried to assassinate him with knives. This attempt failed. Yuan Shao's generals, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, beheaded Geng Wu and Guan Chun instantly. Thus both of them died, and the object of their hatred entered Jizhou City*.

Yuan Shao's first act was to confer on Han Fu a high sounding title---General Who Demonstrates Grand and Vigor Courage in Arms---, but the administration was entrusted to four of Yuan Shao's confidants---Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Xu You, and Peng Ji---who speedily deprived the Imperial Protector of all power. Full of chagrin, Han Fu soon abandoned all, even his family, and rode alone to take refuge with the Governor of Chenliu, Zhang Miao.

Hearing of Yuan Shao's invasion, Gongsun Zan sent his brother, Gongsun Yue, to see the usurper and demand his share of the region.

"I want to see your elder brother himself. He and I have things to discuss," said Yuan Shao.

Thus Gongsun Yue was sent back. But after traveling some fifteen miles on the homeward road, Gongsun Yue saw a group of soldiers appear.

"We are guards of Prime Minister Dong Zhuo!" cried the soldiers.

Instantly, Gongsun Yue was killed by a flight of arrows. Those of Gongsun Yue's followers who escaped carried the news to their late master's brother.

Gongsun Zan was very angry and said, "Yuan Shao prevailed on me to attack, and now he has taken possession. Also he pretends the murderers of my brother were not his people. Shall I not avenge my brother's injury?"

Gongsun Zan brought up all his force to the attack. Learning the movement, Yuan Shao sent out his army, and they met at River Pan. They halted on opposite sides of the river, over which was a bridge.

Gongsun Zan took his station on the bridge and cried to his enemy, "Renegade, how dared you mislead me?"

Yuan Shao rode to the other end of the bridge and, pointing at Gongsun Zan, replied, "Han Fu yielded place to me because he was unequal to the rule. What concern is it of yours?"

Gongsun Zan replied, "Formerly you were regarded as loyal and public spirited, and we chose you chief of the confederacy. Now your deeds prove you cruel and base and wolf-hearted in behavior. How can you look the world in the face?"

"Who will capture him?" cried Yuan Shao in a rage.

At once Wen Chou rode out with his spear set. Gongsun Zan rode down the bridge to the enemy's side, where the two engaged. Ten bouts showed Gongsun Zan the terrible power of Wen Chou, and so he drew off. The enemy came on. Gongsun Zan took refuge within his formation, but Wen Chou cut his way in and rode this way and that, slaying right and left. The four best of Gongsun Zan's generals offered joint battle, but one fell under the first stroke of the doughty warrior, and the other three fled. Wen Chou followed clearing through to the rear of the army. Gongsun Zan made for the mountains.

Wen Chou forced his horse to its utmost pace, crying hoarsely, "Down! Dismount and surrender!"

Gongsun Zan fled for life. His bow and quiver dropped from his shoulders, his helmet fell off, and his hair streamed straight behind him as he rode in and out between the sloping hills. Then his steed stumbled and he was thrown, rolling over and over to the foot of the slope.

Wen Chou was now very near and poising his spear for the thrust. Then suddenly came out from the shelter of a grassy mound on the left a general of youthful mien, but sitting his steed bravely and holding a sturdy spear. He rode directly at Wen Chou, and Gongsun Zan crawled up the slope to look on.

The new warrior was of middle height with bushy eyebrows and large eyes, a broad face and a heavy jowl, a youth of commanding presence. The two exchanged some fifty bouts and yet neither had the advantage. Then Gongsun Zan's rescue force came along, and Wen Chou turned and rode away. The youth did not pursue.

Gongsun Zan hurried down the hill and asked the young fellow who he was.

He bowed low and replied, "My name is Zhao Yun from Changshan. I first served Yuan Shao; but when I saw that he was disloyal to his prince and careless of the welfare of the people, I left him and I was on my way to offer service to you. This meeting in this place is most unexpected."

Gongsun Zan was very pleased, and the two went together to the camp, where they at once busied themselves with preparations for a new battle.

Next day Gongsun Zan prepared for fight by dividing his army into two wings. He had five thousand cavalry in the center, all mounted on white horses. Gongsun Zan had formerly seen service against the northern frontier tribes, the Qiang Peoples, where he always placed his white horses in the van of his army, and thus he had won the sobriquet of General Who Commands White Horses. The tribes held him so much in fear that they always fled as soon as the white horses, their sacred creatures, appeared.

On Yuan Shao's side Yan Liang and Wen Chou were Leaders of the Van. Each had one thousand of archers and crossbowmen. They were set out half on either side, those on the left to shoot at Gongsun Zan's right and those on the right to shoot at his left. In the center was Qu Yi with eight hundred bowmen and ten thousand of foot and horse. Yuan Shao took command of the reserve force in the rear.

In this fight Gongsun Zan employed his new adherent Zhao Yun for the first time and, as Gongsun Zan did not feel assured of Zhao Yun's good faith, put him in command of a company at the rear. The Van Leader was Yan Guang, and Gongsun Zan himself commanded the center. He took his place on horseback on the bridge beside an enormous red standard on which was displayed the word Commanding General in gold embroidery.

From sunrise to noon the drums rolled for the attack, but Yuan Shao's army made no move. Qu Yi made his bowmen hide under their shields. They heard the roar of explosions, the whistling of arrows, and the rattle of the drums, as Yan Guang approached from the other side, but Qu Yi and his men lay closer than ever and never stirred. They waited till Yan Guang had got close on them and then, as the sound of a bomb rent the air, the whole eight hundred men let fly their arrows in a cloud. Yan Guang was quite taken aback and would have retired, but Qu Yi rode furiously toward him, whirled up his sword and cut him down.

So Gongsun Zan's army lost that battle. The two wings that should have come to the rescue were kept back by the bowmen under Yan Liang and Wen Chou. Yuan Shao's troops advanced right up to the bridge. Then Qu Yi rode forward, slew the standard bearer, and hacked through the staff of the embroidered banner. Seeing this, Gongsun Zan turned his steed and galloped away.

Qu Yi followed. But just as he caught up the fugitive, there came prancing forth Zhao Yun, who rode directly at him with spear ready to strike. After a few bouts Qu Yi was laid in the dust. Then Zhao Yun attacked the soldiers and turned the tide. Plunging forward on this side, dashing in on that, he went through as if there were no antagonists and, seeing this, Gongsun Zan turned and came again into the fight. The final victory was on his side.

From the scouts sent to find out how the battle went, Yuan Shao heard the good news of Qu Yi's success in slaying the standard bearer, capturing the flag, and his pursuit. So Yuan Shao took no further care but rode out with his General Tian Feng and a few guards to look on at the enemy and enjoy his victory.

"Ha ha!" Yuan Shao laughed. "Gongsun Zan is an incapable."

But even as Yuan Shao spoke, he saw in front the redoubtable Zhao Yun. His guards hastened to prepare their bows, but before they could shoot, Zhao Yun was in their midst, and men were falling before him wherever he went. The others fled. Gongsun Zan's army then gathered round and hemmed in Yuan Shao.

Tian Feng then said to his master, "Sir, take refuge in this empty building here!"

But Yuan Shao dashed his helmet to the ground, crying, "The brave one rather faces death in the battle than seeks safety behind a wall!"

This bold speech gave new courage to his soldiers who now fought fiercely and with such success that Zhao Yun could nowhere force his way in. Yuan Shao was soon reinforced by the arrival of his main body and Yan Liang, and the two armies pressed forward. Zhao Yun could only just get Gongsun Zan safe out of the press. Then they fought their way back to the bridge. But Yuan Shao's troops still came on and fought their way across the bridge, forcing multitudes of their adversaries into the water, where many were drowned.

Yuan Shao was leading in person and his troops still advanced. But not more than two miles, for soon a great shouting was heard behind some hills, whence suddenly burst out a body of troops led by Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.

At Pingyuan they had heard of the struggle between their protector and his enemy, Yuan Shao, and had at once set out to help. Now the three riders, each with his peculiar weapon, flew straight at Yuan Shao, who was so frightened that his soul seemed to leave his body and fly beyond the confines of heaven.

His sword fell from his hand and he fled for his life. He was chased across the bridge when Gongsun Zan called in his army, and they returned to camp.

After the usual greetings Gongsun Zan said, "If you had not come to our help, we should have been in very bad case."

Liu Bei and Zhao Yun were made acquainted with each other, and a warm affection sprang up from the very first so that they were always together.

Yuan Shao had lost that battle, and Gongsun Zan would not risk another. They strengthened their defenses, and the armies lay inactive for over a month. In the meantime news of the fighting had reached Capital Changan, and Dong Zhuo was told.

His adviser, Li Ru, went to see his master and said, "The two active leaders of today are Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan, who are at grips at River Pan. Pretend you have an imperial command to make peace between them, and both will support you out of gratitude for your intervention."

"Good!" said Dong Zhuo.

So he sent the Imperial Guardian, Ma Midi, and the Minister of the Inner Bureau, Zhao Qi, on the mission. When these men were arriving at the North of Yellow River, Yuan Shao sent out to welcome them thirty miles from his headquarters and received the imperial command with the greatest respect. Then the two officers went to Gongsun Zan and made known their errand. Gongsun Zan sent letters to his adversary proposing friendship. The two emissaries returned to report their task accomplished. Gongsun Zan drew off his army. He also sent up a memorial eulogizing Liu Bei, who was raised to the rank of Governor of Pingyuan.

The farewell between Liu Bei and Zhao Yun was affecting. They held each other's hands a long time, their eyes streaming with tears, and could not tear themselves apart.

Zhao Yun said with a sob, "I used to think Gongsun Zan a true hero, but I see now that he is no different from Yuan Shao. They are both alike."

"But you are now in his service. We shall surely meet again," said Liu Bei.

Both men wept freely as they separated.

Now Yuan Shu in Nanyang, hearing that his brother had come into Jizhou, sent to beg a thousand horses. 

The request was refused and enmity sprang up between the brothers. Yuan Shu also sent to Jingzhou to borrow grain, which Imperial Protector Liu Biao would not send. In his resentment, Yuan Shu wrote to Sun Jian trying to get him to attack Liu Biao. The letter ran like this:

"When Liu Biao stopped you on your way home, it was at the instigation of my brother. Now the same two have planned to fall upon your territories southeast of the Great River, wherefore you should at once strike at Liu Biao. I will capture my brother for you and both resentments will be appeased. You will get Jingzhou, and I shall have Jizhou."

"I cannot bear Liu Biao," said Sun Jian as he finished reading this letter. "He certainly did bar my way home, and I may wait many years for my revenge if I let slip this chance."

He called a council.

"You may not trust Yuan Shu. He is very deceitful," said Cheng Pu.

"I want revenge on my own part. What care I for his help?" said Sun Jian.

He dispatched Huang Gai to prepare a river fleet, arm and provision them. Big warships were to take horses on board. The force soon set out.

News of these preparations came to Liu Biao, and he hastily summoned his advisers and warriors.

Kuai Liang told him to be free from anxiety, and said, "Put General Huang Zu at the head of the Jiangxia army to make the first attack and you, Sir, support him with the forces from Xiangyang. Let Sun Jian come riding the rivers and straddling the lakes: What strength will he have left after arriving here?"

So Liu Biao bade Huang Zu prepare to march, and a great army was assembled.

Here it may be said that Sun Jian had four sons, all the issue of his wife who was of the Wu family. Their names in order were Sun Ce, Sun Quan, Sun Yi, and Sun Kuang. Sun Jian had a second wife who was the sister of his first wife. And the second wife bore him a son and a daughter, the former called Sun Lang, the latter Sun Ren. Sun Jian had also adopted a son from a Yu family and named him Sun Hu. And he had a younger brother named Sun Jing.

As Sun Jian was leaving on this expedition, his brother Sun Jing with all his six sons stood in front of Sun Jian's steed and dissuaded him, saying, "Dong Zhuo is the real ruler of the state, for the Emperor is a weakling. The whole country is in rebellion, everyone is scrambling for territory. Our area is comparatively peaceful, and it is wrong to begin a war merely for the sake of a little resentment. I pray you, brother, think before you start."

Sun Jian replied, "Brother, say no more. I desire to make my strength felt throughout the empire, and shall I not avenge my injuries?"

"Then father, if you must go, let me accompany you," said the eldest son Sun Ce.

This request was granted, and father and son embarked to go to ravage the city of Fankou.

Now Huang Zu had placed archers and crossbowmen along the river bank. When the ships approached, a flight of arrows met them. Sun Jian ordered his troops to remain under cover in the ships, which then sailed to and fro, drawing the fire for three days. Several times the ships pretended to land, and this drew showers of arrows from the bank. At last the arrows of the defenders were all shot away and Sun Jian, who collected them, found he had many myriads. Then with a fair wind Sun Jian's troops shot them back to the enemy. Those on the bank were thrown into great disorder and retired. The army then landed. Two divisions led by Cheng Pu and Huang Gai set out for Huang Zu's camp along different roads, and between them marched Han Dang. Under this triple attack Huang Zu was worsted. He left Fankou and hastened to Dengcheng.

Leaving the ships under the command of Huang Gai, Sun Jian led the pursuing force. Huang Zu came out of his city and drew up for battle in the open country. When Sun Jian had disposed his army, he rode out to the standard. Sun Ce, clad in armor, placed himself beside his father.

Huang Zu rode out with two generals---Zhang Hui from Jiangxia and Chen Sheng from Xiangyang.

Flourishing his whip, Huang Zu abused his enemy, "You swarm of rebels from Changsha! Why do you invade the land of a scion of the ruling house?"

Zhang Hui challenged to combat, and Han Dang went out to accept. The two champions fought thirty bouts, and then Chen Sheng, seeing his fellow general becoming exhausted, rode to his aid. Sun Jian saw Chen Sheng coming, laid aside his spear, reached for his bow, and shot an arrow wounding Chen Sheng in the face. He fell from his horse. Panic seized upon Zhang Hui at the fall of his comrade, and he could no longer defend himself. Then Han Dang with a slash of his sword clove Zhang Hui's skull in twain.

Both having fallen, Cheng Pu galloped up to make prisoner of Huang Zu, who threw off his helmet, slipped from his steed, and mingled for safety among his troops. Sun Jian led on the attack and drove the enemy to the Han River where he ordered Huang Gai to move the fleet upriver and moor there.

Huang Zu led his defeated troops back and told Liu Biao, saying, "Sun Jian was too strong for my army."

Kuai Liang was called in to advise, and he said, "Our newly defeated soldiers have no heart for fighting now. Therefore we must fortify our position, while we seek help from Yuan Shao. Then we can extricate ourselves."

"A stupid move!" said Cai Mao. "The enemy is at the city gates: Shall we fold our hands and wait to be slain? Give me troops and I will go out and fight to the finish."

So Cai Mao was placed in command of ten thousand troops and went out to the Xian Hills where he drew up his battle line. Sun Jian led the invaders, now flushed with success.

When Cai Mao approached, Sun Jian looked at him and said, "He is brother-in-law to Liu Biao. Who will capture him?"

Cheng Pu set his iron-spined lance and rode out. After a few bouts Cai Mao turned and fled. Sun Jian's army rode in and slaughtered till corpses filled the countryside, and Cai Mao took refuge in Xiangyang.

Kuai Liang said, "Cai Mao ought to be put to death by military law. This defeat was due to his obstinacy."

But Liu Biao was unwilling to punish the brother of his newly wedded wife.

Sun Jian surrounded Xiangyang and assailed the walls daily. One day a fierce gale sprang up, and the pole bearing his standard was broken.

"Very inauspicious!" said Han Dang. "We ought to go back."

Sun Jian said, "I have won every battle and the city is on the point of falling. Shall I return because the wind felled a flagstaff?"

He flouted the advice and attacked the walls still more vigorously.

Within the city the defenders had seen an omen. Kuai Liang told Liu Biao, "Last night I saw that a great star fall into the sky corresponding to Sun Jian's territory. I calculated that it inferred the fall of Sun Jian."

Then Kuai Liang advised Liu Biao to seek help from Yuan Shao as quickly as possible.

So Liu Biao wrote. Then he asked who would undertake to fight his way through the blockade with the letter. One Lu Gong, a warrior of great strength, offered himself for this service.

Kuai Liang said, "If you undertake this service, listen to my advice. You will have five hundred soldiers: 

Choose good bowmen. Dash through the enemy's formation and make for Xian Hills. You will be pursued; but send a hundred soldiers up the hill to prepare large stones, and place a hundred archers in ambush in the woods. These are not to flee from the pursuers but to beguile them along devious ways round to the place where the boulders have been prepared. There stones will be rolled down and arrows shot. If you succeed, fire off a series of bombs as a signal, and the armies in the city will come out to help. If you are not pursued, get away as fast as possible. Tonight will be suitable as there is very little moon. Start at dusk."

Lu Gong having received these directions, prepared his force to carry them out. As soon as day began to close in, he went quietly out at the east gate.

Sun Jian was in his tent when he heard shouting, and a soldier came to report: "There was a group of horsemen going out from the city!"

Sun Jian at once mounted and rode out with thirty horsemen to discover the cause. Lu Gong's troops had already hidden themselves in the thick woods. Sun Jian rode ahead of his escort, and soon he found himself alone and close to the enemy. He called out to them to halt. Lu Gong at once turned back and came as if to fight. But they had only exchanged a single pass when Lu Gong again fled, taking the road among the hills. Sun Jian followed but soon lost sight of his foe.

Sun Jian turned up the hill. Then the gongs clanged and down the hills fell showers of stones, while from among the trees the arrows flew in clouds. Sun Jian was hit by several arrows and a huge stone crushed in his head. Both he and his steed were killed. Sun Jian was only thirty-seven years old at his death.

His escort was overpowered and every man of them slain. Then Lu Gong let off a series of bombs, the sign of success, as agreed. At this signal Huang Zu, Kuai Yue, and Cai Mao led three armies out of the city and fell upon the Changsha troops, throwing them into the utmost confusion.

When Huang Gai heard the sound of battle, he led up the troops from the ships. He met Huang Zu and took Huang Zu prisoner after a brief fight.

Cheng Pu set out to bear the sad news to Sun Ce. While he was seeking a way out, he came across Lu Gong. Cheng Pu at once put his horse at full speed and engaged Lu Gong. After a few bouts Lu Gong went down under a spear thrust. The battle became general and continued till daylight broke, when each drew off his army. Liu Biao withdrew into the city.

When Sun Ce returned to the river, he heard that his father had perished in the fight, and his body had been carried within the enemy's walls. He uttered a great cry, and the army joined him with wailing and tears.

"How can I return home leaving my father's corpse with them?" cried Sun Ce.

Huang Gai said, "We have Huang Zu as our prisoner. Let one enter the city and discuss peace, giving up our prisoner for our lord's body."

He had barely finished speaking when an officer in the army, Huan Ji, offered himself as messenger, saying, 

"I am an old friend of Liu Biao. I volunteer to take the mission."

Sun Ce agreed. So Huan Ji went and peace was discussed.

Liu Biao told Huan Ji, saying, "The body is already laid in a coffin and ready to be delivered as soon as 

Huang Zu returned. Let us both cease fighting and never again invade each other's territories."

Huan Ji thanked him and took his leave.

But as Huan Ji went down the steps, Kuai Liang suddenly broke in, saying, "No, no! Let me speak and I will see to it that not a single enemy can survive. I pray you first put this man to death and then to employ my means."

[hip, hip, hip] Pursuing his enemy, Sun Jian dies; On a peaceful mission, Huan Ji is threatened. [yip, yip, yip]

The fate of the ambassador will be disclosed in a later chapter.

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