Magic Shot Outside the Military Camp

　　Yuan Shu sent 100 thousand troops， led by General Ji Ling， to attack Liu Bei. For fear of Lü Bu in Xuzhou who might lend Liu a hand， Yuan wrote Lü a letter， together with many food supplies as gifts， asking him not to help Liu. Liu， on the other hand， wrote lüa letter asking for assistance. “If I remain an onlooker with folded arms，”thought Lü， “I will be in danger after Yuan defeats Liu. But if I help Liu， Yuan will be be resentful to me.” So Lü invited both Liu Bei and Ji Ling to a bqnqet.

　　Lü sat between Liu and Ji at the banquet. After a few rounds of toasts Lü began， “Please grant me a favor by stopping the fight.” When Ji Ling refused， Lu shouted for his long lance to be brought over. Both Liu and Ji got a fright. “I'll stand my lance 150steps away outside the gate. If my arrow hits its edge you two will stop your fight. And if I miss the target you have your own way.” Ji secretly hoped that he would miss the target， while Liu crossed his fingers wished Lu succees. Lü and wine brought up to him. After each one had a cup Lu arched his bow， aimed and shot with a big shout. The arrow flew like lightening toward the target， and hit right on the edge of the lance. A big applause rose from everybody around. Lu dropped his bow and laughed， saying， “You see， even the heavens wish that you stop fighting.” With his excellent archery， Lü averted a fight between the two sides.

辕门射戢

　　袁绍之弟袁术派大将纪灵率领十万大军攻打刘备。袁术担心在徐州的吕布救援刘备，派人给吕布送去粮草和密信，要吕布按兵不动。刘备考虑到自己兵力不足，也写信求助吕布。吕布收了袁术的粮草，又收了刘备的求援信，他想：我若不救刘备，袁术得逞后我也危险；若我救刘备，袁术必恨我。于是，吕布让人把刘备和纪灵同时请来赴宴。

　　吕布坐在刘备和纪灵中间，吩咐开宴，刚吃几杯酒，吕布说：“ 看在我的面上，你两家不要打了。”纪灵不肯。吕布大叫一声：“把我的画戟拿来！”刘备、纪灵都吓了一跳。吕布又说：“我把画戟插到辕门外一百五十步地方，如果我一箭射中画戟的枝尖，你们两家就不要打了。如果我射不中，打不打我就不管了。纪灵希望射不中，刘备希望能射中。吕布叫人端上酒来，各自饮了一杯，酒毕，取出弓箭，搭箭拉弦，只听”嗖“的一声，吕布大喊：”着！“那箭不偏不倚，正中画戟的枝尖。在场的人无不喝彩。吕布把弓扔在地上，笑着说：”看来老天也不愿意让你们打仗啊！“就这样，吕布以他精湛的箭法平息了一场厮杀。