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Those who checked the angry 曹操Cao Cao were 劉備Liu Bei who held his arm and 關羽Guan Yu who knelt before him.
"A man as generous-hearted as he is should be saved," said 劉備Liu Bei.
關羽Guan Yu said, "I know him well as loyal and righteous. I will vouch보증하다 for him with my own life!"
曹操Cao Cao threw aside his sword and smiled.
"I also know 張遼Zhang Liao is loyal and good. I was just testing him," said 曹操Cao Cao and loosed the prisoner's bonds with his own hands, had a change of dress brought in, and clothed him therewith. Then he was led to a seat of honor. This kindly treatment sank deep into 張遼Zhang Liao's heart, and he hastened to declare formally that he yielded. And then he was given the rank of Imperial Commander and the title of Lordship.
張遼Zhang Liao was sent on a mission to win over the bandit leader 臧霸Zang Ba, who hearing what had happened, came forthwith and gave in his submission. He was graciously received, and his former colleagues, 孫觀Sun Guan, 吳敦Wu Dun, and 尹禮Yin Li, also yielded, with the exception of 昌豨Chang Xi, who remained obdurate. All these former enemies who came over were kindly treated and given posts of responsibility wherein they might prove the reality of their conversion. 呂布Lu Bu's family were sent to the capital.
After the soldiers had been rewarded with feasting, the camp was broken up and the army moved away to Xuchang. Passing through Xuzhou the people lined the roads and burned incense in honor of the victors. They also petitioned that 劉備Liu Bei should be their protector.
曹操Cao Cao replied, "劉備Liu Bei has rendered great services. You must wait till he has been received in audience and obtained his reward. After that he shall be sent here."
The people bowed low to the ground to express their thanks. 車冑Che Zhou, General of the Flying Cavalry車騎將軍, was given command of Xuzhou for the moment.
After the army had arrived at the capital, rewards were granted to all the officers who had been in the expedition. 劉備Liu Bei was retained in the capital, lodging in an annex to the Prime Minister's palace.
Next day a court was held, and 曹操Cao Cao memorialized the services of 劉備Liu Bei who was presented to Emperor Xian獻帝. Dressed in court robes, 劉備Liu Bei bowed at the lower end of the audience arena. The Emperor called him to the Hall and asked his ancestry. 劉備Liu Bei replied,
"Thy servant is the son of 劉弘Liu Hong, grandson of 劉雄Liu Xiong, who was a direct descendant of Prince Sheng劉勝 of Zhongshan中山靖王, who was the son of His Majesty the Emperor Jing孝景皇帝 (reigned BC 157-141)."
The Emperor bade them bring forth the Books of the Genealogies, and therefrom a secretary read:
"劉景Liu Jing the Filial Emperor효덕황제 begot fourteen sons of whom the seventh was 劉勝Liu Sheng, Prince of Zhongshan中山靖王. 劉勝Sheng begot 劉貞Liu Zhen, Lord of Luchang城亭侯. 貞Zhen begot 劉昂Liu Ang, Lord of Pei沛侯. 昂Ang begot 劉祿Liu Lu, Lord of Zhang漳侯. 祿Lu begot 劉戀Liu Lian, Lord of Yishui沂水侯. 戀Lian begot 劉英Liu Ying, Lord of Qinyang欽陽侯. 英Ying begot 劉建Liu Jian, Lord of Anguo安國侯. 建Jian begot 劉哀Liu Ai, Lord of Guangling廣陵侯. 哀Ai begot 劉憲Liu Xia, Lord of Jiaoshui膠水侯. 憲Xia begot 劉舒Liu Shu, Lord of Zuyi祖邑侯. 舒Shu begot 劉誼Liu Yi, Lord of Qiyang祁陽侯. 誼Yi begot 劉必Liu Bi, Lord of Yuanze原澤侯. 必Bi begot 劉達Liu Da, Lord of Yingchuan潁川侯. 達Da begot 劉不疑Liu Buyi, Lord of Fengling豐靈侯. 不疑Buyi begot 劉惠Liu Hui, Lord of Jichuan濟川侯. 惠Hui begot 劉雄Liu Xiong, Governor of Zhuo東郡范令. 雄Xiong begot 劉弘Liu Hong, who held no office or rank; and 劉備Liu Bei is his son."
The Emperor compared this with the registers of the Imperial House and found by them that 劉備Liu Bei was his uncle by descent. The Emperor seemed greatly pleased and requested 劉備Liu Bei to go into one of the side chambers where he might perform the ceremonial obeisance prescribed for a nephew to his uncle. In his heart he rejoiced to have this heroic warrior uncle as a powerful supporter against 曹操Cao Cao who really held all the power in his own hands. The Emperor knew himself to be a mere puppet. He conferred upon his uncle the rank of General of the Left Army左將軍 and the title of Lord of Yicheng宜城亭侯.
When the banquet was concluded, 劉備Liu Bei thanked the Emperor and went out of the Palace. And from this time he was very generally styled the "Imperial Uncle劉皇叔."
When 曹操Cao Cao returned to his palace, 荀彧Xun Yu and his fellow advisers went in to see him. 荀彧Xun Yu said,
"It is no advantage to you, Illustrious Sir, that the Emperor recognizes 劉備Liu Bei as an uncle."
"劉備Liu Bei may be recognized as uncle, but he is under my orders since I control the decrees of the Throne. He will be all the more ready to obey. Besides I will keep him here under the pretense of having him near his sovereign, and he will be entirely in my hands. I have nothing to fear. The man I fear is 楊彪Yang Biao, who is a relative of the two 袁Yuan brothers. Should 楊彪Yang Biao conspire with them, he is an enemy within and might do much harm. He will have to be removed."
Hence 曹操Cao Cao sent a secret emissary to say that Imperial Guardian 楊彪Yang Biao was intriguing with 袁術Yuan Shu, and on this charge 楊彪Yang Biao was arrested and imprisoned. And his death would have been compassed had his enemy dared. But just then the Governor of Beihai北海太守, 孔融Kong Rong, was at the capital, and he remonstrated with 曹操Cao Cao, saying,
"楊彪Yang Biao comes from a family famed for virtue for at least four generations. You cannot trump up so foolish a charge as that against him."
"It is the wish of His Majesty!" retorted 曹操Cao Cao.
"If the child Emperor Cheng成王 of Zhou Dynasty had put 召公Duke Chao to death, could the people have believed Duke Zhou周公, the Regent Marshal, had nothing to do with it?"
So 曹操Cao Cao had to relinquish the attempt, but he took away 楊彪Yang Biao's offices and banished him to his family estate in the country.
Court Counselor議郎, 趙彥Zhao Yan, an opponent of the Prime Minister, sent up a memorial impeaching 曹操Cao Cao for having removed a minister of state from office without a decree. 曹操Cao Cao's reply to this was the arrest of 趙彥Zhao Yan and his execution, a bold stroke which terrified the bulk of officers and reduced them to silence.
程昱Cheng Yu advised 曹操Cao Cao to assume a more definite position. He said, "Illustrious Sir, your prestige grows daily. Why not seize the opportunity to take the position of Chief of the Feudatory Princes王霸之事?"
"There are still too many supporters of the court," was the reply. "I must be careful. I am going to propose a royal hunt to try to find out the best line to follow."
This expedition being decided upon they got together fleet horses, famous falcons, and pedigree hounds, and prepared bows and arrows in readiness. They mustered a strong force of guards outside the city.
When the Prime Minister proposed the hunting expedition, the Emperor said he feared it was an improper thing to do. 曹操Cao Cao replied,
"In ancient times rulers made four expeditions yearly at each of the four seasons in order to show their strength. They were called Sou, Miao, Xien, and Shou蒐苗獮狩, in the order of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Now that the whole country is in confusion, it would be wise to inaugurate a hunt in order to train the army. I am sure Your Majesty will approve."
So the Emperor with the full paraphernalia여러가지물건 for an imperial hunt joined the expedition. He rode a saddled horse, carried an inlaid bow, and his quiver was filled with gold-tipped arrows. His chariot followed behind. 劉備Liu Bei and his brothers were in the imperial train, each with his bow and quiver. Each party member wore a breastplate under the outer robe and held his especial weapon, while their escort followed them. 曹操Cao Cao rode a dun黃 horse called "Flying-Lightning飛電馬," and the army was one hundred thousand strong.
The hunt took place in 許田Xutian, and the legions spread out as guards round the hunting arena which extended over some one hundred square miles. 曹操Cao Cao rode even with the Emperor, the horses' heads alternating in the lead. The imperial attendants immediately following were all in 曹操Cao Cao's confidence. The other officers, civil and military, lagged behind, for they dared not press forward into the midst of 曹操Cao Cao's partisans.
One day the Emperor was riding toward the hunting grounds and noticed his newly found uncle respectfully standing by the roadside.
"I should like to see my uncle display his hunting skill," said the Emperor.
劉備Liu Bei mounted his steed at once. Just then a hare started from its form. 劉備Liu Bei shot and hit it with the first arrow.
The Emperor, much struck by this display, rode away over a slope. Suddenly a deer broke out of the thicket. He shot three arrows at it but all missed.
"You try," said the Emperor turning to 曹操Cao Cao.
"Lend me Your Majesty's bow," 曹操Cao Cao replied.
Taking the inlaid bow and the golden-tipped arrows, 曹操Cao Cao pulled the bow and hit the deer in the shoulder at the first shot. It fell in the grass and could not run.
Now the crowd of officers seeing the golden-barbed arrow sticking in the wound concluded at once that the shot was the Emperor's, so they rushed up and shouted "Wan shui! O Son of Heaven! Live forever!"
曹操Cao Cao rode out pushing past the Emperor and acknowledged the congratulations.
They all turned pale. 關羽Guan Yu, who was behind 劉備Liu Bei, was especially angry. The silkworm eyebrows stood up fiercely, and the red phoenix eyes glared as, sword in hand, he rode hastily forth to cut down the audacious Prime Minister for his impertinence.
However, 劉備Liu Bei hastily waved him back and shot at him a meaning glance so that 關羽Guan Yu stopped and made no further move. 劉備Liu Bei bowing toward 曹操Cao Cao said,
"Most sincere felicitations축하! A truly supernatural shot, such as few have achieved!"
"It is only the enormous good fortune of the Son of Heaven!" said 曹操Cao Cao with a smile.
Then he turned his steed and felicitated the Emperor. But he did not return the bow; he hung it over his own shoulder instead.
The hunt finished with banqueting; and when the entertainments were over, they returned to the capital, all glad of some repose휴식 after the expedition.
關羽Guan Yu was still angry of the Prime Minister's breach침해 of decorum예법.
One day 關羽Guan Yu said to 劉備Liu Bei, "Brother, why did you prevent me from killing that rebel and so ridding the world of a scoundrel불량배? He insults the Emperor and ignores everybody else."
"When you throw stones at a rat, beware of the vase投鼠忌器," quoted 劉備Liu Bei. "曹操Cao Cao was only a horse's head away from Our Lord, and in the midst of a crowd of his partisans. In that momentary burst of anger, if you had struck and failed, and harm had come to the Emperor, what an awful crime would have been laid to us!"
"If we do not rid the world of him today, a worse evil will come of it," said 關羽Guan Yu.
"But be discreet, my brother. Such matters cannot be lightly discussed."
The Emperor sadly returned to his palace. With tears in his eyes, he related what had occurred in the hunt to his consort, Empress Fu伏皇后.
"Alas for me!" said he. "From the first days of my accession即位, one vicious minister has succeeded another. I was the victim of 董卓Dong Zhuo's evil machinations간계. Then followed the rebellion of 李傕Li Jue and 郭汜Guo Si. You and I had to bear sorrows such as no others have borne. Then came this 曹操Cao Cao as one who would maintain the imperial dignity, but he has seized upon all real authority and does as he wishes. He works continually for his own glorification, and I never see him but my back pricks. These last few days in the hunting field, he went in front of me and acknowledged the cheers of the crowd. He is so extremely rude that I feel sure he has sinister designs against me. Alas, my wife, we know not when our end may come!"
"In a whole court full of nobles, who have eaten the bread祿 of Han, is there not one who will save his country?" said she.
Thus spoke the Empress, and at the same moment there stepped in a man who said, "Grieve not, O Imperial Pair! I can find a savior for the country."
It was none other than the father of the Empress, 伏完Fu Wan.
"Have you heard of 曹操Cao Cao's wanton and perverse behavior專橫?" said the Emperor, drying his eyes.
"You mean the deer shooting? Who did not see that, indeed? But the whole court is full of his clan or his creatures. With the exception of the relatives of your Consort, there is not one loyal enough to deal with a rebel. I have no authority and can do nothing, but there is General 董承Dong Cheng, the State Uncle, who could do it."
"Could Uncle Dong Cheng come in to consult about this? I know he has had much experience of state troubles."
伏完Fu Wan replied, "Everyone of your attendants is a partisan of 曹操Cao Cao, and this sort of thing must be kept most profoundly secret or the consequence will be most serious."
"Then what can be done?" said the Emperor.
"The only plan I can think of is to send gifts of a robe and a jade girdle to Dong Cheng, and in the lining of the girdle hide a secret edict authorizing him to take certain steps. When he gets home and has read the edict, he can elaborate plans as quickly as possible, and neither the spirits above nor the demons below will know anything about them."
The Emperor approved, and 伏完Fu Wan went out. The Emperor then with his own hand drew up a decree, writing it with blood drawn by biting his finger. He gave the document to Empress Fu伏皇后 to sew into the purple lining of the girdle. When all was done, he put on the robe and girded it with the girdle. Next he bade one of the attendants summon State Uncle 董承Dong Cheng to the Palace.
董承Dong Cheng came; and after the ceremonies were finished, the Emperor said, "A few nights ago I was talking with the Empress of the terrible days of the rebellion, and we thought of your good services then, therefore we have called you in to reward you."
The minister bowed his head in thanks. Then the Emperor led 董承Dong Cheng out of the Reception Hall to the Temple of Ancestors太廟, and they went to the gallery of Worthy Ministers功臣閣, where the Emperor burned incense and performed the usual ceremonies. After this they went to see the portraits, and among them was one of the founder of the dynasty, Liu Bang漢高祖 the Supreme Ancestor.
"Where did our great ancestor spring and how did he begin his great achievement?" said the Emperor.
"Your Majesty is pleased to tease your servant," said 董承Dong Cheng, rather startled at the question. "Who does not know the deeds of the Sacred Ancestor? He began life as a minor official in 泗上Sishang. There gripping his sword, he slew a white serpent, the beginning of his struggle for the right. Speedily he mastered the empire: In three years had destroyed 秦Qin and, in five, also 楚Chu. Thus he set up a dynasty that shall endure forever!"
"Such heroic forefathers! Such weakling descendants! How sad it is!" said the Emperor.
Pointing to the portraits right and left, he continued, "Are not these two 張良Zhang Liang, Lord of Liu留侯, and 蕭何Xiao He, Lord of Cuo酇찬侯?"
"Certainly. The Supreme Ancestor was greatly assisted by these two."
The Emperor glanced right and left. His attendants were rather far away. Then he whispered to 董承Dong Cheng, "You, like these two, must stand by me."
"My poor services are of no worth. I do not compare with those men," said the Uncle.
"I remember that you saved me at the western capital, Changan. I have never forgotten, and I could never reward you properly."
Then pointing to his own robe, the Emperor continued, "You must wear this robe of mine, girded with my own girdle, and it will be as though you are always near your Emperor."
董承Dong Cheng bowed his gratitude while the Emperor, taking off the robe, presented it to his faithful minister. At the same time he whispered, "Examine it closely when you get home, and help your Emperor carry out his intention."
董承Dong Cheng understood. He put on the robe and the girdle, took leave and left the chamber.
The news of the audience for 董承Dong Cheng had been taken to the Prime Minister, who at once went to the Palace and arrived as 董承Dong Cheng was passing out at the Donghua Gate東華門. They met face to face, and 董承Dong Cheng could in nowise avoid him. 董承Dong Cheng went to the side of the road and made his obeisance.
"Where are you from, State Uncle?" asked 曹操Cao Cao.
"His Majesty summoned me into the Palace and has given me this robe and beautiful girdle."
"Why did he give you these?"
"He had not forgotten that I saved his life in the old days."
"Take it off and let me see it."
董承Dong Cheng who knew that a secret decree was hidden away somewhere in the garments was afraid 曹操Cao Cao would notice a breach somewhere in the material, so he hesitated and did not obey. But 曹操Cao Cao called his guards, and they took off the girdle. Then 曹操Cao Cao looked it over carefully.
"It certainly is a very handsome girdle," said he. "Now take off the robe and let me look at that." 董承Dong Cheng's heart was melting with fear, but he dared not disobey. So he handed over the robe. 曹操Cao Cao took it and held it up against the sun with his own hand and minutely examined every part of it.
When he had done this, he put it on, girded it with the girdle and turning to his attendants said, "How is it for length?"
"Beautiful!" they chorused.
Turning to 董承Dong Cheng, he said, "Will you give these to me?"
"My Prince's presents to me I dare not give to another. Let me give you another robe in its stead," said 董承Dong Cheng.
"Is there not some intrigue connected with these presents? I am sure there is," said 曹操Cao Cao.
"How could I dare?" said 董承Dong Cheng, trembling. "If you are so set upon it, then I must give it up."
"How could I take away what our Prince has given you? It was all a joke," said the Prime Minister.
曹操Cao Cao returned both robe and girdle, and their owner made the best of his way home. When night came and he was alone in his library, he took out the robe and looked over every inch of it most carefully. He found nothing.
"He gave me a robe and a girdle and bade me look at them carefully. That means there is something to be looked for but I can find no trace of it. What does it mean?" he said to himself.
Then he lifted the girdle and examined that. The jade plates were carved into the semblance of small dragons interlaced among flowers. The lining was of purple silk. All was sewn together most carefully and neatly, and he could find nothing out of the common. He was puzzled. He laid the belt on the table. Presently he picked it up and looked at it again. He spent long hours over it but in vain. He leaned over on the small table, his head resting on his hands and was almost asleep, when a candle snuff탄부분 fell down upon the girdle and burned a hole in the lining. He hastily shook it off, but the mischief was done: A small hole had been burned in the silken lining, and through this there appeared something white with blood red marks. He hastily ripped it open and drew out the decree written by the hand of the Emperor himself in characters of blood. It read:
"Of human relationships, that between parents and children stands first. Of the various social ties that between prince and minister stands highest. Today 曹操Cao Cao, the wicked, is a real tyrant, treating even his Prince with indignity. With the support of his faction and his army, he has destroyed the principles of government. By conferring rewards and inflicting punishments, he has reduced the Emperor to a nonentity하잘것없는사람. I have grieved over this day and night. I have feared the empire would be ruined.
"You are a high minister of state and my own relative. You must recall the difficulties of the Great Founder's early days and draw together the loyal and right-minded to destroy this evil faction and restore the prerogatives of the Throne. Such a deed would be indeed an extreme joy to the spirits of my ancestors.
"This decree, written in blood drawn from my own veins, is confided to a noble who is to be most careful not to fail in executing his Emperor's design.
"Given in the era of Rebuilt Tranquillity, fourth year and the third month of spring." (AD 199)
So ran the decree, and 董承Dong Cheng read it with streaming eyes. There was no sleep for him that night. Early in the morning he returned to his library and reread it. No plan suggested itself. He laid the decree down on the table and sought in the depths of his mind for some scheme to destroy 曹操Cao Cao, but could not decide upon any. And he fell asleep leaning over his table.
It happened that Minister 王子服Wang Zifu, with whom 董承Dong Cheng was on terms of great intimacy, came to visit him and, as usual, walked into the house unannounced and went straight to the library. His host did not wake, and 王子服Wang Zifu noticed, hardly hidden by his sleeve, the Emperor's writing.
Wondering what this might be, 王子服Wang Zifu drew it out, read it, and put it in his own sleeve.
Then he called out loud, "Uncle 董承Dong Cheng, are you not well? Why are you asleep at this time of day?"
董承Dong Cheng started up and at once missed the decree. He was aghast; he almost fell to the ground.
"So you want to make away죽이다 with 曹操Cao Cao? I shall have to tell him," said 王子服Wang Zifu.
"If you do, brother, that is the end of the Hans," said his host, with tears.
"I was joking," said 王子服Wang Zifu. "My forefathers also served the Hans and ate of their bounty. Am I devoid of loyalty? I would help you, brother, as far as lies in my power."
"It is well for the country that you think like this," said 董承Dong Cheng.
"But we ought to have a more private place than this to talk over such plans and pledge ourselves to sacrifice all in the cause of Han."
董承Dong Cheng began to feel very satisfied. He produced a roll of white silk and wrote his own name at the top and signed it, and 王子服Wang Zifu followed suit.
Then the visitor said, "General 吳子蘭Wu Zilan is one of my best friends. He ought to be allowed to come in."
董承Dong Cheng replied, "Of all the officials of the court, Commander 種輯Chong Ji and Court Counselor 吳碩Wu Shi are my best friends. Certainly they would back me up." So the discussion proceeded. Presently a servant announced no other than these very two men 董承Dong Cheng just mentioned.
"This is providential," said 董承Dong Cheng, and he told 王子服Wang Zifu to hide behind a screen.
The two guests were led into the library, and after the exchange of the ordinary civilities and a cup of tea, 種輯Chong Ji referred to the incident at the hunt and the shooting of the stag.
"Were you not angry at that?" said 種輯Chong Ji.
董承Dong Cheng answered, "Though we be angry, what can we do?"
吳碩Wu Shi struck in, saying, "I would slay this fellow, I swear, but I cannot get anyone to back me up."
"One should perish for one's country; one should not mind," said 種輯Chong Ji.
At this moment 王子服Wang Zifu appeared from behind the screen, saying, "You two want to kill 曹操Cao Cao! I shall have to let him know this. And Uncle 董承Dong Cheng is my witness."
"A loyal minister does not mind death. If we are killed, we will be Han ghosts, which is better than being sycophants of a traitor," said 種輯Chong Ji, angrily.
董承Dong Cheng said, "We were just saying we wanted to see you two on this matter. 王子服Wang Zifu is only joking."
Then he drew forth the decree and showed it to the two newcomers, who also wept as they read it. They were asked to add their names to the silk roll.
王子服Wang Zifu said, "Wait here a few moments till I get 吳子蘭Wu Zilan to come."
He left the room and very soon returned with his friend, who also wrote his name in the presence of all the others.
After this they went into one of the inner chambers to drink success to the new plot. While there, a new visitor, 馬騰Ma Teng, Governor of Xiliang西涼太守, was announced.
"Say I am indisposed," said the host, "and cannot receive visitors."
The doorkeeper took the message, whereat 馬騰Ma Teng angrily said, "Last night at the Donghua Gate東華門, I saw him come out in robe and girdle. How can he pretend illness today? I am not come from mere idleness, why does he refuse to see me?"
The doorkeeper went in again and told his master what the visitor had said and that he was very angry. Then 董承Dong Cheng rose, excused himself saying he would soon return, and went to receive 馬騰Ma Teng.
After the visitor had saluted and they were both seated, 馬騰Ma Teng said, "I have just come from a farewell audience and wished to bid you good bye. Why did you want to put me off?"
"My poor body was taken suddenly ill. That is why I was not waiting to welcome you," said 董承Dong Cheng.
"You do not look as if you were ill. Your face wears the very bloom of health," said 馬騰Ma Teng bluntly.
His host could say no more and was silent. The visitor shook out his sleeves and rose to depart.
He sighed deeply as he walked down the steps, saying to himself, "Not one of them is any good. There is no one to save the country."
This speech sank deeply into 董承Dong Cheng's heart. He stopped his guest, saying, "Who is no good to save the country? Whom do you mean?"
"That incident at the hunt the other day, the shooting of the stag, filled my breast with anger. But if you, a near relative of the Emperor, can pass your time in wine and idle dalliance without a thought of doing away with rebellion, where can anyone be found who will save the dynasty?"
However, 董承Dong Cheng doubts were not set at rest. Pretending great surprise, he replied, "The Prime Minister is of high rank and has the confidence of the court. Why then do you utter such things?"
"So you find that wretch 曹操Cao Cao a good man, eh?"
"Pray speak lower: There are eyes and ears very near us."
"The sort of people who covet life and fear death are not those to discuss any great undertaking."
So saying, 馬騰Ma Teng rose to go sway. By this time his host's doubts were set at rest. He felt that 馬騰Ma Teng was loyal.
So 董承Dong Cheng said, "Do not be angry any more. I will show you something."
Whereupon he invited 馬騰Ma Teng to go into the room where the others were seated and then showed him the decree. As Ma Teng read it, his hair stood on end; he ground his teeth and bit his lips till the blood came.
"When you move, remember the whole force of my army is ready to help," said 馬騰Ma Teng.
董承Dong Cheng introduced him to the other conspirators, and then the pledge was produced, and 馬騰Ma Teng was told to sign his name. He did so, at the same time smearing the blood as a sign of the oath and saying, "I swear to die rather than betray this pledge!"
Pointing to the five he said, "We require ten for this business, and we can accomplish our design."
"We cannot get many true and loyal people. One of the wrong sort will spoil all," said 董承Dong Cheng.
馬騰Ma Teng told them to bring in the list of officials. He read on till he came to the name Liu, of the imperial clan, when clapping his hands he cried, "Why not consult him?"
"Whom?" cried they altogether.
馬騰Ma Teng very slowly and deliberately spoke his name.
To a very trusty servant comes an Emperor's decree,
And a scion of the ruling house can prove his loyalty.
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