“What a pity my two able generals, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, are not here！ then should we have someone who would not fear this Hua Xiong,” said Yuan Shao.

　　He had not finished when from the lower end a voice tolled, “I will go, take Hua Xiong's head, and lay it before you here！”

　　All turned to look at the speaker. He was tall and had a long beard. His eyes were those of a phoenix and his eyebrows thick and bushy like silkworms. His face was a swarthy red and his voice deep as the sound of a great bell.

　　“Who is he？” asked Yuan Shao.

　　Gongsun Zan told them it was Guan Yu, brother of Liu Bei.

　　“And what is he？” asked Yuan Shao.

　　“He is in the train of Liu Bei as a mounted archer.”

　　“What！ An insult to us all！” roared Yuan Shu from his place. “Have we no leader？ How dare an archer speak thus before us？ Let us beat him forth！”

　　But Cao Cao intervened. “Peace, O Yuan Shu！ Since this man speaks great words, he is certainly valiant. Let him try. If he fails, then we may reproach him.”

　　“Hua Xiong will laugh at us if we send a mere archer to fight him,” said Yuan Shao.

　　“This man looks no common person. And how can the enemy know he is but a bowman？” said Cao Cao.

　　“If I fail, then can you take my head,” spoke Guan Yu.

　　Cao Cao bade them heat some wine and offered a cup to Guan Yu as he went out.

　　“Pour it out,” said Guan Yu. “I shall return in a little space.”

　　Guan Yu went with his weapon in his hand and vaulted into the saddle. Those in the tent heard the fierce roll of the drums and then a mighty sound as if skies were falling and earth rising, hills trembling and mountains tearing asunder. And they were sore afraid. And while they were listening with ears intent, lo！ the gentle tinkle of horse bells, and Guan Yu returned, throwing at their feet the head of the slain leader, their enemy Hua Xiong.

the wine was still warm！

Bushy 浓密的

Silkworm 蚕

Swarthy 黝黑的

绍曰：“可惜吾上将颜良、文丑未至！得一人在此，何惧华雄！”言未毕，阶下一人大呼出曰：“小将愿往斩华雄头，献于帐下！”众视之，见其人身长九尺，髯长二尺，丹凤眼，卧蚕眉，面如重枣，声如巨钟，立于帐前。绍问何人。公孙瓒曰：“此刘玄德之弟关羽也。”绍问现居何职。瓒曰：“跟随刘玄德充马弓手。”帐上袁术大喝曰：“汝欺吾众诸侯无大将耶？量一弓手，安敢乱言！与我打出！”曹操急止之曰：“公路息怒。此人既出大言，必有勇略；试教出马，如其不胜，责之未迟。”袁绍曰：“使一弓手出战，必被华雄所笑。”操曰：“此人仪表不俗，华雄安知他是弓手？”关公曰：“如不胜，请斩某头。”操教酾热酒一杯，与关公饮了上马。关公曰：“酒且斟下，某去便来。”出帐提刀，飞身上马。众诸侯听得关外鼓声大振，喊声大举，如天摧地塌，岳撼山崩，众皆失惊。正欲探听，鸾铃响处，马到中军，云长提华雄之头，掷于地上。其酒尚温。