get the vessel in toward the shore。
Just as things looked most desperate； Zhao Yun saw a string of ships filing out from a creek lower down the stream； flags fluttering and drums beating。 He thought that certainly all was over and he was about to fall a victim to a stratagem of the South Land； when he noticed a mighty warrior standing in the prow of the leading craft。 He was armed with a long spear； and it was Zhang Fei。
Zhang Fei also shouted； 〃Sister…in…law！ Leave the child lord。〃
Zhang Fei had been out scouting when he heard the news of his sister…in…law's sudden departure； and he at once made for the River Yu with the intention of intercepting her flight。 He had arrived just in the nick of time to cut off the ships of the South Land。 Very soon； sword in hand； he had boarded the vessel。 As Zhang Fei came on board； Zhou Shan drew his sword and advanced toward him； but one sweep of Zhang Fei's blade laid him on the deck dead。 And the grim warrior hung his head at the feet of Lady Sun。
〃Why this very unseemly behavior？〃 cried Lady Sun； now quite frightened。
〃Sister；〃 said Zhang Fei； 〃you thought very little of my brother when you set out on this mad journey。 That was behaving rudely。〃
〃My mother is very ill。 It is a matter of life and death；〃 cried she。 〃If I had waited for your brother's permission to go； I should have been too late。 If you do not let me go now； I will throw myself into the river。〃
Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei took counsel together。 They said to each other； 〃It is hardly the correct thing for servants to force their lord's wife into mitting suicide。 Suppose we keep the child and let the vessel go。〃
Then they said； 〃O Lady； we cannot allow the wife of our exalted brother to die a death of shame； and so w