溫暖寒冬提示您：看後求收藏（奇妙書庫www.qmshu.tw），接著再看更方便。
All being ready； the chief lord was invited to ascend the altar。 Clad in ceremonial robes and girded with a sword； Yuan Shao reverently ascended。 There he burned incense； made obeisance and recited the oath：
〃The House of Han has fallen upon evil days； the bands of imperial authority are loosened。 The rebel minister； Dong Zhuo； takes advantage of the discord to work evil； and calamity falls upon honorable families。 Cruelty overwhelms simple folks。 We； Yuan Shao and his confederates； fearing for the safety of the imperial prerogatives； have assembled military forces to rescue the state。 We now pledge ourselves to exert our whole strength and act in concord to the utmost limit of our powers。 There must be no disconcerted or selfish action。 Should any depart from this pledge； may he lose his life and leave no posterity。 Almighty Heaven and Universal Earth and the enlightened spirits of our forebears； be ye our witnesses！〃
The reading finished； Yuan Shao smeared the blood of the sacrifice upon his lips and upon the lips of those who shared the pledge。 All were deeply affected by the ceremony and many shed tears。
This done； the chief lord was supported down from the high place and led to his tent； where he took the highest place and the others arranged themselves according to rank and age。 Here wine was served。
Presently Cao Cao said； 〃It behooves us all to obey the chief we have this day set up； and support the state。 There must be no feeling of rivalry or superiority based upon numbers。〃
Yuan Shao replied； 〃Unworthy as I am； yet as elected chief I must impartially reward merit and punish offenses。 Let each see to it that he obeys the national laws and the army precepts。 These must not be broken。〃
〃Only thy mands are to be obeye
