en； the strong soldiers carrying the women。 As the crowds crossed the river； from both banks arose the sound of lamentation。
Liu Bei was much affected as he saw all this from the boat。
〃Why was I ever born；〃 said he； 〃to be the cause of all this misery to the people？〃
He made to leap into the river； but they held him back。 All were deeply sympathetic。 When the boat reached the southern shore； he looked back at the weeping crowds waiting still on the other bank and was again moved to tears。 He bade Guan Yu hasten the boats before he mounted and rode on。
When Xiangyang came in sight； they saw many flags flying on the walls and that the moat was protected by barbed barriers。
Liu Bei checked his horse and called out； 〃Liu Zong； good nephew！ I only wish to save the people and nothing more。 I pray you quickly open the gates。〃
But Liu Zong was too frightened to appear。 Cai Mao and Zhang Yun went up to one of the fighting towers and ordered the soldiers to shoot arrows down on those without the walls。 The people gazed up at the towers and wept aloud。
Suddenly there appeared a general； with a small following； who cried out； 〃Cai Mao and Zhang Yun are two traitors。 The princely Liu Bei is a most upright man and has e here to preserve his people。 Why do you repulse him？〃
All looked at this man。 He was of eight…span height； with a face dark brown as a ripe date。 He was from Yiyang and named Wei Yan。 At that moment he looked very terrible； whirling his sword as if about to slice up the gate guards。 They lost no time in throwing open the gate and dropping the bridge。
〃e in； Uncle Liu Bei；〃 cried Wei Yan； 〃and bring your army to slay these traitors！〃
Zhang Fei plunged forward to take Cai Mao and Zhang Yun； but h