《三国演义英文第1回免费.docx》由会员分享，可在线阅读，更多相关《三国演义英文第1回免费.docx（23页珍藏版）》请在三一办公上搜索。
1、三国演义英文第1回免费Romance of Three Kingdoms - by Luo Guanzhong - Chapter 1Chapter 1Three Heroes Swear Brotherhood In The Peach Garden;One Victory Shatters The Rebels In Battlegrounds.e Up to this time AD 168, China had had five dynasties: Mythology (BC 5000-2200), Xia Dynasty (BC 2200-1700), Shang Dynasty
2、(BC 1700-1050), Zhou Dynasty (BC 1050-221), Qin Dynasty (BC 221-206), and Han Dynasty (BC 206-AD 220). The Age of Seven States was BC 475-221, which was also known as the Warring States Period. The seven main states were Qin, Chu, Yan, Qi, Wei, Zhao, and Han. .e At the end of the Warring States Peri
3、od, Qin conquered other states, and consolidated the empire. The first emperor of Qin is credited with the building of the Great Wall in large scale. .e Qin ruled for only one and a half generations, then the old states emerged again. .e Liu Bang (or Gao Zu) (BC 256-195) was the founder of Han Dynas
4、ty, aka Western Han (capital in Changan). From a farmer family. His first office was assistant to a magistrate in Pei. Joined peasant rebellions against Qin Dynasty. Fought under Chu banner. Became a general, then ennobled as King of Han. In BC 206 Liu Bang defeated Xiang Yu and won the empire. .e W
5、ang Mang (BC 45-AD 23) was regent and a nephew of the empress dowager Wang. He assumed the throne from AD 9 to 23. .e Liu Xiu (or Guang Wu) (BC 5-AD 57) (reigned AD 25-57) restored Han after Wang Mangs usurpation. The dynasty Liu Xiu restored is also known as Eastern Han (capital in Luoyang) or Latt
6、er Han. .e From remote antiquity, eunuchs were employed in China in two main functions: As guards and servants in harems or other womens quarters, and as chamberlains to kings. The eunuchs confidential position frequently enabled them to exercise an important influence over their royal masters and e
7、ven to raise themselves to stations of great trust and power. .e Regent Marshal was the highest military office, while Imperial Guardian highest civilian office.Domains under heaven, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of union, tends to divide. This has been so sinc
8、e antiquity. When the rule of the Zhou Dynasty weakened, seven contending kingdoms sprang up*, warring one with another until the kingdom of Qin prevailed and possessed the empire*. But when Qins destiny had been fulfilled, arose two opposing kingdoms, Chu and Han, to fight for the mastery. And Han
9、was the victor*.The rise of the fortunes of Han began when Liu Bang the Supreme Ancestor* slew a white serpent to raise the banners of uprising, which only ended when the whole empire belonged to Han (BC 202). This magnificent heritage was handed down in successive Han emperors for two hundred years
10、, till the rebellion of Wang Mang caused a disruption*. But soon Liu Xiu the Latter Han Founder restored the empire*, and Han emperors continued their rule for another two hundred years till the days of Emperor Xian, which were doomed to see the beginning of the empires division into three parts, kn
11、own to history as The Three Kingdoms.But the descent into misrule hastened in the reigns of the two predecessors of Emperor Xian-Emperors Huan and Ling-who sat in the Dragon Throne about the middle of the second century.Emperor Huan paid no heed to the good people of his court, but gave his confiden
12、ce to the Palace eunuchs*. He lived and died, leaving the scepter to Emperor Ling, whose advisers were Regent Marshal Dou Wu and Imperial Guardian Chen Fan*. Dou Wu and Chen Fan, disgusted with the abuses of the eunuchs in the affairs of the state, plotted the destruction for the power-abusing eunuc
13、hs. But Chief Eunuch Cao Jie was not to be disposed of easily. The plot leaked out, and the honest Dou Wu and Chen Fan were put to death, leaving the eunuchs stronger than before.It fell upon the day of full moon of the fourth month, the second year, in the era of Established Calm (AD 168), that Emp
14、eror Ling went in state to the Hall of Virtue. As he drew near the throne, a rushing whirlwind arose in the corner of the hall and, lo! from the roof beams floated down a monstrous black serpent that coiled itself up on the very seat of majesty. The Emperor fell in a swoon. Those nearest him hastily
15、 raised and bore him to his palace, while the courtiers scattered and fled. The serpent disappeared.But there followed a terrific tempest, thunder, hail, and torrents of rain, lasting till midnight and working havoc on all sides. Two years later the earth quaked in Capital Luoyang, while along the c
16、oast a huge tidal wave rushed in which, in its recoil, swept away all the dwellers by the sea. Another evil omen was recorded ten years later, when the reign title was changed to Radiant Harmony (AD 178): Certain hens suddenly crowed. At the new moon of the sixth month, a long wreath of murky cloud
17、wound its way into the Hall of Virtue, while in the following month a rainbow was seen in the Dragon Chamber. Away from the capital, a part of the Yuan Mountains collapsed, leaving a mighty rift in the flank.Such were some of various omens. Emperor Ling, greatly moved by these signs of the displeasu
18、re of Heaven, issued an edict asking his ministers for an explanation of the calamities and marvels.Court Counselor Cai Yong replied bluntly: Falling rainbows and changes of fowls sexes are brought about by the interference of empresses and eunuchs in state affairs.The Emperor read this memorial wit
19、h deep sighs, and Chief Eunuch Cao Jie, from his place behind the throne, anxiously noted these signs of grief. An opportunity offering, Cao Jie informed his fellows, and a charge was trumped up against Cai Yong, who was driven from the court and forced to retire to his country house.With this victo
20、ry the eunuchs grew bolder. Ten of them, rivals in wickedness and associates in evil deeds, formed a powerful party known as the Ten Regular Attendants-Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, Cheng Kuang, Duan Gui, Feng Xu,Guo Sheng, Hou Lan, Jian Shuo, Cao Jie, and Xia Yun.One of them, Zhang Rang, won such influen
21、ce that he became the Emperors most honored and trusted adviser. The Emperor even called him Foster Father. So the corrupt state administration went quickly from bad to worse, till the country was ripe for rebellion and buzzed with brigandage.At this time in the county of Julu was a certain Zhang fa
22、mily, of whom three brothers bore the name of Zhang Jue, Zhang Ba, and Zhang Lian, respectively. The eldest Zhang Jue was an unclassed graduate, who devoted himself to medicine. One day, while culling simples in the woods, Zhang Jue met a venerable old gentleman with very bright, emerald eyes and fr
23、esh complexion, who walked with an oak-wood staff. The old man beckoned Zhang Jue into a cave and there gave him three volumes of The Book of Heaven .This book, said the old gentleman, is the Essential Arts of Peace . With the aid of these volumes, you can convert the world and rescue humankind. But
24、 you must be single-minded, or, rest assured, you will greatly suffer.With a humble obeisance, Zhang Jue took the book and asked the name of his benefactor.I am Saint Hermit of the Southern Land, was the reply, as the old gentleman disappeared in thin air.Zhang Jue studied the wonderful book eagerly
25、 and strove day and night to reduce its precepts to practice. Before long, he could summon the winds and command the rain, and he became known as the Mystic of the Way of Peace.In the first month of the first year of Central Stability (AD 184), there was a terrible pestilence that ran throughout the
26、 land, whereupon Zhang Jue distributed charmed remedies to the afflicted. The godly medicines brought big successes, and soon he gained the tittle of the Wise and Worthy Master. He began to have a following of disciples whom he initiated into the mysteries and sent abroad throughout all the land. Th
27、ey, like their master, could write charms and recite formulas, and their fame increased his following.Zhang Jue began to organize his disciples. He established thirty-six circuits, the larger with ten thousand or more members, the smaller with about half that number. Each circuit had its chief who t
28、ook the military title of General. They talked wildly of the death of the blue heaven and the setting up of the golden one; they said a new cycle was beginning and would bring universal good fortune to all members; and they persuaded people to chalk the symbols for the first year of the new cycle on
29、 the main door of their dwellings.With the growth of the number of his supporters grew also the ambition of Zhang Jue. The Wise and Worthy Master dreamed of empire. One of his partisans, Ma Yuanyi, was sent bearing gifts to gain the support of the eunuchs within the Palace.To his brothers Zhang Jue
30、said, For schemes like ours always the most difficult part is to gain the popular favor. But that is already ours. Such an opportunity must not pass.e One of the Ten Regular AttendantsAnd they began to prepare. Many yellow flags and banners were made, and a day was chosen for the uprising. Then Zhan
31、g Jue wrote letters to Eunuch Feng Xu* and sent them by one of his followers, Tang Zhou, who alas! betrayed his trust and reported the plot to the court. The Emperor summoned the trusty Regent Marshal He Jin and bade him look to the issue. Ma Yuanyi was at once taken and beheaded. Feng Xu and many o
32、thers were cast into prison.The plot having thus become known, the Zhang brothers were forced at once to take the field. They took up grandiose titles: Zhang Jue the Lord of Heaven, Zhang Ba the Lord of Earth, and Zhang Lian the Lord of Human. And in these names they put forth this manifesto:The goo
33、d fortune of the Han is exhausted, and the Wise and Worthy Man has appeared. Discern the will of Heaven, O ye people, and walk in the way of righteousness, whereby alone ye may attain to peace.Support was not lacking. On every side people bound their heads with yellow scarves and joined the army of
34、the rebel Zhang Jue, so that soon his strength was nearly half a million strong, and the official troops melted away at a whisper of his coming.Regent Marshal and Guardian of the Throne, He Jin, memorialized for general preparations against the Yellow Scarves, and an edict called upon everyone to fi
35、ght against the rebels. In the meantime, three Imperial Commanders-Lu Zhi, Huangfu Song, and Zhu Jun-marched against them in three directions with veteran soldiers.e Ancient China was divided into nine administrative regions or zhous . Each region had a capital city, often of the same name. The nine
36、 regions were Bingzhou, Jingzhou, Jizhou, Liangzhou, Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Yizhou, Youzhou, and Yuzhou. Over the time more regions were created. During the Three Kingdoms period, there were already more than nine regions. A few of the new regions were Xizhou, Yangzhou, and Yongzhou. (see map )e Imperial
37、 Protector was the highest office in an administrative region.Meanwhile Zhang Jue led his army into Youzhou, the northeastern region of the empire*. The Imperial Protector* of Youzhou was Liu Yan, a scion of the Imperial House. Learning of the approach of the rebels, Liu Yan called in Commander Zhou
38、 Jing to consult over the position.Zhou Jing said, They are many and we few. We must enlist more troops to oppose them.Liu Yan agreed, and he put out notices calling for volunteers to serve against the rebels. One of these notices was posted up in the county of Zhuo, where lived one man of high spir
39、it.This man was no mere bookish scholar, nor found he any pleasure in study. But he was liberal and amiable, albeit a man of few words, hiding all feeling under a calm exterior. He had always cherished a yearning for high enterprise and had cultivated the friendship of humans of mark. He was tall of
40、 stature. His ears were long, the lobes touching his shoulders, and his hands hung down below his knees. His eyes were very big and prominent so that he could see backward past his ears. His complexion was as clear as jade, and he had rich red lips.e Reigned BC 157-141.He was a descendant of Prince
41、Sheng of Zhongshan whose father was the Emperor Jing*, the fourth emperor of the Han Dynasty. His name was Liu Bei. Many years before, one of his forbears had been the governor of that very county, but had lost his rank for remissness in ceremonial offerings. However, that branch of the family had r
42、emained on in the place, gradually becoming poorer and poorer as the years rolled on. His father Liu Hong had been a scholar and a virtuous official but died young. The widow and orphan were left alone, and Liu Bei as a lad won a reputation for filial piety.At this time the family had sunk deep in p
43、overty, and Liu Bei gained his living by selling straw sandals and weaving grass mats. The family home was in a village near the chief city of Zhuo. Near the house stood a huge mulberry tree, and seen from afar its curved profile resembled the canopy of a wagon. Noting the luxuriance of its foliage,
44、 a soothsayer had predicted that one day a man of distinction would come forth from the family.As a child, Liu Bei played with the other village children beneath this tree, and he would climb up into it, saying, I am the Son of Heaven, and this is my chariot! His uncle, Liu Yuanqi, recognized that L
45、iu Bei was no ordinary boy and saw to it that the family did not come to actual want.When Liu Bei was fifteen, his mother sent him traveling for his education. For a time he served Zheng Xuan and Lu Zhi as masters. And he became great friends with Gongsun Zan.Liu Bei was twenty-eight when the outbre
46、ak of the Yellow Scarves called for soldiers. The sight of the notice saddened him, and he sighed as he read it.Suddenly a rasping voice behind him cried, Sir, why sigh if you do nothing to help your country?Turning quickly he saw standing there a man about his own height, with a bullet head like a
47、leopards, large eyes, a swallow pointed chin, and whiskers like a tigers. He spoke in a loud bass voice and looked as irresistible as a dashing horse. At once Liu Bei saw he was no ordinary man and asked who he was.Zhang Fei is my name, replied the stranger. I live near here where I have a farm; and
48、 I am a wine seller and a butcher as well; and I like to become acquainted with worthy people. Your sighs as you read the notice drew me toward you.Liu Bei replied, I am of the Imperial Family, Liu Bei is my name. And I wish I could destroy these Yellow Scarves and restore peace to the land, but ala
49、s! I am helpless.I have the means, said Zhang Fei. Suppose you and I raised some troops and tried what we could do.This was happy news for Liu Bei, and the two betook themselves to the village inn to talk over the 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 h
