Zhang Fei’s cunning is the only things standing between Liu Bei and Cao Cao’s army. Well, that and his really loud, really deadly voice.

* Transcript

* Map of Key Locations

* Graph of Key Characters and Relationships

Transcript

PDF version

Welcome to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms Podcast. This is episode 52.

Previously, we left off with one of the most memorable sequences in the novel, in which Zhao Yun rescued Liu Bei’s infant son, A Dou (1,3), and fought his way through swarms of Cao Cao’s troops to escape. But no sooner had he left the bulk of Cao Cao’s army behind did he run into two more detachments of enemy soldiers, led by two lieutenants under the command of Cao Cao’s general Xiahou Dun. These two guys were brothers. One wielded a battle axe, while the other used a halberd, and they were shouting for Zhao Yun to surrender.

Zhao Yun, of course, paid no heed to their words and greeted them with his spear. Within three bouts, the elder brother, the axe-wielder, was stabbed off his horse. Zhao Yun took the opening and ran. The younger brother, however, gave chase. As he closed in, the tip of his halberd flashed around Zhao Yun’s back. But Zhao Yun suddenly turned around, and the two were face to face right next to each other. Wielding his spear in his left hand, Zhao Yun blocked the halberd. At the same time, his right hand pulled out the prized sword that he had taken from Cao Cao’s sword-bearer earlier in the day. Where the sword landed, half of his opponent’s head and helmet went flying off.

Seeing their leaders killed, the enemy soldiers scattered, and Zhao Yun once again fled toward Changban (2,3) Bridge. Behind him rose earth-shaking cries of battle. This was Wen (2) Pin (4), one of the generals of Jing Province who had recently surrendered to Cao Cao. He was leading a detachment of troops in hot pursuit. By the time Zhao Yun reached Changban (2,3) Bridge, he and his horse were running on fumes. But fortunately for him, Zhang Fei was waiting on the bridge.

“Help me!” Zhao Yun cried.

“You go on ahead; I will deal with the enemy!” Zhang Fei told him.

 

So Zhao Yun galloped across the bridge and traveled for another seven or eight miles before he spotted Liu Bei and company resting under some trees. Zhao Yun dismounted, threw himself onto the ground, and wept bitterly. Liu Bei was also brought to tears.

After catching his breath, Zhao Yun said, “Even I were to die 10,000 deaths, I cannot atone for my crime! Lady Mi (2) was wounded and refused to take my horse. Instead, she killed herself by jumping into a well. All I could do was to knock over a mud wall to bury her. Then, I carried the young master in my bosom and fought my way through the enemy ranks. Thanks to your lordship’s great fortune, I was able to escape. The young master was crying not too long ago, but I haven’t felt him move in a while. I fear the worst!”

As he spoke, Zhao Yun unstrapped A Dou from his chest and took a look. Lo and behold, the baby was just fine. More than fine, in fact. He was sound asleep. That’s probably a good tip to keep in mind the next time Liu Bei can’t get the baby to go to sleep. Just have Zhao Yun strap him to his chest and point him toward the nearest enemy swarm.

“Thank heaven the young master is ok!” Zhao Yun exclaimed as he handed the baby to Liu Bei with both hands.

Liu Bei, however, took the baby and tossed him on to the ground.

“You useless brat!