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第250部分(第1页)

Liao Hua presented the enemys helmet as proof of his prowess in the field; and received a reward of the first grade of merit。 Wei Yan went away angry and discontented; Zhuge Liang noticed this; but he said nothing。

Very sadly Sima Yi returned to his own camp。 Bad news followed; for a messenger brought letters telling of an invasion by three armies of Wu。 The letters said that forces had been sent against them; and the Ruler of Wei again enjoined upon his mander…in…Chief a waiting and defensive policy。 So Sima Yi deepened his moats and raised his ramparts。

Meanwhile; when the South Land marched against the Middle Land; Cao Rui sent three armies against the invaders: Liu Shao led that to save Jiangxia; Tian Du led the Xiangyang force; Cao Rui himself; with Man Chong; went into Hefei。 This last was the main army。

Man Chong led the leading division toward Lake Chaohu。 Thence; looking across to the eastern shore; he saw a forest of battleships; and flags and banners crowded the sky。 So he returned to the main army and proposed an attack without loss of time。

〃The enemy think we shall be fatigued after a long march; and so they have not troubled to prepare any defense。 We should attack this night; and we shall overe them。〃

〃What you say accords with my own ideas;〃 said the Ruler of Wei。

Then the Ruler of Wei told off the cavalry leader; Zhang Qiu; to take five thousand troops and try to burn out the enemy with bustibles。 Man Chong was also to attack from the eastern bank。

In the second watch of that night; the two forces set out and gradually approached the entrance to the lake。 They reached the marine camp unobserved; burst upon it with a yell; and the soldiers of Wu fled without striking a blow。 The troops of Wei set fires going in every direction and thus destroyed all the ships together with much grain and many weapons。

Zhuge Jin; who was in mand; led his beaten troops to Miankou; and the attackers returned to their camp much elated。

When the report came to Lu Xun; he called together his officers and said; 〃I must write to the Emperor to abandon the siege of Xincheng; that the army may be employed to cut off the retreat of the Wei army while I will attack them in front。 They will be harassed by the double danger; and we shall break them。〃

All agreed that this was a good plan; and the memorial was drafted。 It was sent by the hand of a junior officer; who was told to convey it secretly。 But this messenger was captured at the ferry and taken before the Ruler of Wei。

Cao Rui read the dispatch; then said with a sigh; 〃This Lu Xun of Wu is really very resourceful。〃

The captive was put into prison; and Liu Shao was told off to defend the rear and keep off Sun Quans army。

Now Zhuge Jins defeated soldiers were suffering from hot weather illnesses; and at length he was pelled to write and tell Lu Xun; and ask that his army be relieved and sent home。

Having read this dispatch; Lu Xun said to the messenger; 〃Make my obeisance to the General; and say that I will decide。〃

When the messenger returned with this reply; Zhuge Jin asked what was doing in the mander…in…Chiefs camp。

The messenger replied; 〃The soldiers were all outside planting beans; and the officers were amusing themselves at the gates。 They were playing a game of skill; throwing arrows into narrow…necked vases。〃

Alarmed; Zhuge Jin himself went to his chiefs camp。

Said he; 〃Cao Rui himself leads the expedition; and the enemy is very strong。 How do you; O mander; meet this pressing danger?〃

Lu Xun replied; 〃My messenger to the Emperor was captured; and thus my plans were discovered。 Now it is useless to prepare to fight; and so we had better retreat。 I have sent in a memorial to engage the Emperor to retire gradually。〃

Zhuge Jin replied; 〃Why delay? If you think it best to retire; it had better be done quickly。〃

〃My army must retreat slowly; or the enemy will e in pursuit; which will mean defeat and loss。 Now you must first prepare your ships as if you meant to resist; while I make a semblance of an attack toward Xiangyang。 Under cover of these operations we shall withdraw into the South Land; and the enemy will not dare to follow。〃

So Zhuge Jin returned to his own camp and began to fit out his ships as if for an immediate expedition; while Lu Xun made all preparations to march; giving out that he intended to advance upon Xiangyang。

The news of these movements were duly reported in the Wei camps。 When the leaders heard it; they wished to go out and fight。 But the Ruler of Wei knew his opponent better than they and would not bring about a battle。

So he called his officers together and said to them; 〃This Lu Xun is very crafty。 Keep careful guard; but do not risk a battle。〃

The officers obeyed。

A few days later the scouts brought in news: 〃The three armies of Wu have retired!〃

The Ruler of Wei doubted and sent out some of his own spies; who confirmed the report。

'e' Sun Zi (aka Sun Wu; Sunzi; Suntzu; Sun…tzu; Sun tzu) the author of the famed treatise The Art of War。 A general of Wu in the Spring and Autumn period; Sun Zi made her the mightiest state during his lifetime by defeating Chu and conquering Yue。 His treatise the Art of War is still avidly read today by many。 。。。。。

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