The rider got off his donkey and returned the bow, while Zhuge Jun from behind said, “This is not my brother; it is his father-in-law Huang Chenyan.”
Liu Bei said, “I chanced to hear the song you were singing; it is very beautiful.”
Huang Chenyan replied, “It is a little poem I read in my son in-law's house, and I recalled it as I crossed the bridge and saw the plum trees in the hedge. And so it happened to catch your ear, Noble Sir.”
“Have you seen your son-in-law lately?” asked Liu Bei.
“That is just what I have come to do now.”
At this Liu Bei bade him farewell and went on his way. The storm was very grievous to bear, but worse than the storm was the grief in his heart as he looked back at Sleeping Dragon Ridge.
One winter's day through snow and wind
A prince rode forth the sage to find;
Alas! His journey was in vain,
And sadly turned he home again.
The stream stood still beneath the bridge
A sheet of ice draped rock and ridge,
His steed benumbed with biting cold
But crawled as he were stiff and old.
The snowflakes on the rider's head
Were like pear-blossoms newly shed,
Or like the willow-catkins light
They brushed his cheek in headlong flight.
He stayed his steed, he looked around,
The snow lay thick on tree and mound,
The Sleeping Dragon Ridge lay white
A hill of silver, glistening bright.
After the return to Xinye the time slipped away till spring was near. Then Liu Bei cast lots to find the propitious day for another journey in search of Zhuge Liang. The day being selected, he fasted for three days and then changed his dress ready for the visit. His two brothers viewed the preparations with disapproval and presently made up their minds to remonstrate.
The sage and the fighting generals never agree,
A warrior despises humility.
The next chapter will tell what they said.
CHAPTER 38. Zhuge Liang Plans For The Three Kingdoms; Sun Quan Attacks Xiakou To Take Revenges.
Nothing discouraged by two unsuccessful visits to the retreat of the sage whose advice he sought to secure, Liu Bei made preparations for a third visit.
His brothers disapproved, and Guan Yu said, “Brother, you have sought him twice; surely this is showing even too much deference. I do not believe in this fame of his for learning; he is avoiding you and dare not submit to the test. Why so obstinately hold this idea?”
“You are wrong, my brother. In the Spring and Autumn Period Prince Huan of Qi paid five visits to the 'Hermit of the Eastern Suburb' before he got to see his face. And my desire to see Zhuge Liang is even greater than his.”
“I think you are mistaken,” said Zhang Fei. “How can this villager be such a marvel of wisdom? You should not go again and, if he will not come, I will bring him with a hempen rope.”
“Have you forgotten the great King Wen's visit to Lu Wang, the old man of the Eastern Sea? If he could show such deference to a wise man, where am I too deferential? If you will not go, your brother and I will go without you,” said Liu Bei.
“If you two go, how can I hang back?” said Zhang Fei.
“If you go, then you must be polite.”
Zhang Fei said he would not forget himself, and the three set out. When they were a quarter of mile from the little cottage, Liu Bei dismounted, deciding to show his respect by approaching the house on foot. Very soon he met Zhuge Jun, whom he saluted with great deference, inquiring whether his brother was at home.
“He returned last evening; you can see him today, General.”
As Zhuge Jun said this, he went off with some swagger.
“Fortune favors me this time,” said Liu Bei, “I am going to see the Master.”
“That was a rude fellow;” said Zhang Fei, “it would not have hurt him to have conducted us to the house. Why did he go off like that?”
“Each one has his own affairs,” said Liu Bei. “What power have we over him?”
Soon the three stood at the door and they knocked. The serving lad came out and asked their business, and Liu Bei said very deferentially, “I would trouble the servant of the genius, gentle page, to inform the Master that Liu Bei wishes to pay his respects to him.”
“My master is at home, but he is asleep.”
“In that case do not announce me.”
Liu Bei bade his two brothers wait at the door quietly, and he himself entered with careful steps. There was the man he sought, lying asleep on the couch, stretched on a simple mat. Liu Bei saluted him with joined hands at a respectful distance.
The time passed and still the sleeper did not wake. The two brothers left without, beginning to feel impatient, also came in, and Zhang Fei was annoyed at seeing his revered elder brother respectfully standing by while another slept.
“What an arrogant fellow is this Master?” said he. “There is our brother waiting, while he sleeps on perfectly carelessly. I will go to the back of the place and let off a bomb and see if that will rouse him.”
“No, no; you must do nothing of the kind,” whispered Guan Yu, and then Liu Bei told them to go out again.
Just then Liu Bei noticed that the Master moved. He turned over as though about to rise, but, instead, he faced the wall and again fell asleep. The serving lad made as if he would rouse his master, but Liu Bei forbade him to be disturbed, and Liu Bei waited yet another weary hour. Then Zhuge Liang woke up repeating to himself the lines:
“Can any know what fate is his?
Yet have I felt throughout my life,
The day would come at last to quit
The calm retreat for toil and strife.”
As he finished he turned to the lad, saying, “Have any of the usual people come?”
“Liu Bei, the Uncle of the Emperor is here,” said the boy. “He has been waiting a long time.”
“Why did you not tell me?” said he, rising from the couch. “I must dress.”
Zhuge Liang rose and turned into a room behind to dress. In a short time he reappeared, his clothing properly arranged, to receive his visitor.
Then Liu Bei saw coming toward him a young man rather below medium height with a refined face. He wore a head-wrap and a long crane-white gown. He moved with much dignity as though he was rather more than mortal.
Liu Bei bowed, saying, “I am one of the offshoots of the Han family, a simple person from Zhuo. I have long known the Master's fame, which has indeed thundered in my ear. Twice I have come to visit you, without success. Once I left my name on your writing table; you may have my note.”
Zhuge Liang replied, “This hermit is but a dilatory person by temperament. I know I have to thank you for more than one vain visit and I am ashamed to think of them.”
These courteous remarks and the proper bows exchanged, the two men sat in their relative positions as host and guest, and the serving lad brought tea.
Then Zhuge Liang said, “From your letter I know that you grieve for both people and government. If I were not so young and if I possessed any talent, I would venture to question you.”
Liu Bei replied, “Sima Hui and Xu Shu have both spoken of you; can it be that their words were vain? I trust, O Master, that you will not despise my worthlessness but will condescend to instruct me.”