The Three Kingdoms Volume 2 Read Online Free PDF Page A

mentioned the name and retreat of his friend. Now it occurred to him that Zhuge Liang might be unwilling to play the part of helper in Liu Bei’s scheme, so he decided to pay him a visit, intending to persuade him. He therefore went to Sleeping Dragon Ridge and dismounted at his friend’s cottage. When Zhuge Liang asked him why he had come, Xu Shu replied, “I have been in the service of Liu Bei and I wished I could continue to serve him. Unfortunately, my mother has been imprisoned by Cao Cao and she has summoned me to her. Therefore I had to leave him. At parting I recommended you to him. He will soon come to invite you and I hope you will not refuse but will consent to use your great talents to help him.”
    Zhuge Liang turned angry and said, “Do you regard me as a victim offered to the altar?”
    So saying he left the room with a flick of his sleeves. The guest shamefacedly retired, mounted his horse, and hastened on his way to the capital to see his mother.
To help the lord he loved very well,
He summoned the aid of another,
When he took the distant homeward way,
At the call of a loving mother.
    What happens to Xu Shu in the capital will be told in the next chapter.
Footnote
    * A mythical animal of very fast speed, similar to a deer.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

    Sima Hui Recommends Zhuge Liang
    Liu Bei Pays Three Visits to Zhuge Liang's Cottage

    A fter his visit to Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu hastened to the capital. When Cao Cao knew he had arrived, he sent Cheng Yu and other advisors to welcome him and so he was led first to his residence.
    Cao Cao asked, “Why should a scholar of such superior wisdom as you bow the knee to Liu Bei?”
    “When I was young I was a fugitive on the run. I spent some time as a wanderer and happened to pass Xinye, where I became good friends with Liu Bei. But I am much indebted to you for being merciful to my mother here.”
    “Now that you have come you will be able to take care of your mother at all times. And I may have the privilege of receiving your wisdom,” replied Cao Cao.
    Xu Shu then took his leave and hurried to his mother’s dwelling. Weeping with emotion he made his obeisance to her at the door of her room.
    But she was greatly surprised to see him and asked, “Why are you here?”
    “I was at Xinye in the service of Liu Bei when I received your letter. I came immediately.”
    His mother suddenly grew very angry. Pounding the table with her fist she cried, “You shameful and degenerate son! For years you have been roaming around the world and I thought you would have improved in your learning. Why are you even worse than before? You are a student and know the books. You must then know that loyalty and filial piety are often opposed. Don’t you recognize in Cao Cao a traitor, a man who flouts his Emperor and insults his superiors? Don’t you see that Liu Bei is virtuous and upright, as all the world knows? Moreover, he is of the House of Han and when you were with him you were serving an appropriate master. Now on the strength of a scrap of forged writing, without making any inquiry, you have left the light and plunged into darkness to earn a disgraceful reputation for yourself. How very stupid you are! And I feel too ashamed to look upon you. You have defiled the good name of your forefathers. What a waste for you to be born in this world!”
    The son remained bowed to the floor, not daring to lift his eyes, while his mother delivered this vilifying tirade. Even after she had finished her speech and left the room, he was still kneeling on the floor. Soon, one of the servants came out to say that the old lady had hanged herself. Startled beyond measure, Xu Shu rushed in to try to save her, but it was too late.
    A eulogy was written for the old lady:
Wise Mother Xu, fair is your fame,
    The history page glows with your name,
The family’s renown you made.
    To train your son no pains you spared,
For your own body nothing cared.
    You stand sublime as a high hill
Through simple