ong; the armys instructor。 Intelligence had been received that Sun Quan had sent a messenger to seek to make a league with Zhang Lu to make a joint attack upon the Jiameng Pass; and Liu Bei was alarmed lest it should e to pass。
〃If they do that; I am taken in the rear and helpless in both advance and retreat;〃 said he。 〃What do you counsel; O Instructor?〃
Pang Tong turned to Meng Da; saying; 〃You are a native of Shu and well skilled in its topography。 What can be done to make the Pass secure?〃
〃Let me take a certain man with me; and I will defend it myself and answer for its safety。〃
〃Who is he?〃 asked Liu Bei。
〃He was formerly an officer under Liu Biao。 His name is Huo Jun; and he is a native of Nanjun in the south。〃
This offer was accepted; and the two generals departed。
After the council; when Pang Tong returned to his lodging; the doorkeeper told him that a visitor had arrived。 When Pang Tong went out to receive him; he saw a huge tall fellow eight cubits in stature and of noble countenance。 His hair had been cut short and hung upon his neck。 He was poorly dressed。
〃Who may you be; Master?〃 asked Pang Tong。
The visitor made no reply; but went at once straight up the room and lay upon the couch。 Pang Tong felt very suspicious of the man and repeated his question。
Pressed again; the visitor said; 〃Do let me rest a little。 Then I will talk with you about everything in the world。〃
This answer only added to the mystery and increased the hosts suspicion; but he had wine and food brought in; of which the guest partook ravenously。 Having eaten; he lay down and fell asleep。
Pang Tong wag greatly puzzled and thought the man must be a spy。 He sent for Fa Zheng; met him in the courtyard; and told him about the strange visitor。
〃Surely it can be no other than Peng Yang;〃 said Fa Zheng。
Fa Zheng went inside and looked。
Immediately the visitor jumped up; saying; 〃I hope you have been well since we parted last!〃
Because two old friends meet again;
A rivers fatal flood is checked。
The next chapter will explain who the stranger was。
Main Next to Chapter 63 》》
Romance of Three Kingdoms … by Luo Guanzhong … Chapter 63
Chapter 63
Zhuge Liang Mourns For Pang Tong;
Zhang Fei Releases Yan Yan。
Fa Zheng and the new er met with every sign of joy; clapping their hands and laughing with pleasure。
〃This is Peng Yang of Guanghan; one of our heroes。 His blunt speech; however; offended Imperial Protector Liu Zhang; who put him to shame by shaving his head; loading him with fetters; and forcing him into a monastery。 That is why his hair is short。〃
The introduction made; Pang Tong treated the stranger with all the courtesy due to a guest and asked why he had e。
〃To save a myriad of your soldiers lives。 I will explain fully when I see General Liu Bei。〃
A message was sent to Liu Bei; who came over to see the visitor。
〃How many troops have you; General?〃 asked Peng Yang; when Liu Bei arrived。