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第164部分(第2页)

In a few days; Lu Meng and Gan Ning returned。

Lu Meng suggested a plan; saying; 〃Cao Cao has sent Zhu Guang; Governor of Lujiang; to camp at the city of Huancheng and plant grain for the supply of Hefei。 Let us first take Huancheng first; and then attack Hefei。〃

〃This scheme is just after my own heart;〃 said Sun Quan。

So Sun Quan appointed Lu Meng and Gan Ning as Van Leaders; Jiang Qin and Pan Zhang as Rear Guards; he himself with Zhou Tai; Chen Wu; Dong Xi; and Xu Sheng manded the center。 But the manders Cheng Pu; Huang Gai; and Han Dang were not called to take part in this expedition as they were guarding certain especial places。

The army crossed the river and captured Hezhou on the way。 Governor Zhu Guang sent an urgent message to Hefei for help and set himself to strengthen his fortifications for a siege。 Sun Quan went very near the city walls of Huancheng to observe its defense; and a flight of arrows greeted him; some striking his great official parasol。 He went back to camp and asked his officers to offer plans of attack。

Then Dong Xi said; 〃Pile up great hills of earth and attack from the summits。〃

Said Xu Sheng; 〃Set up long ladders and construct platforms whence you can look over the city walls and thus attack。〃

But Lu Meng said; 〃All such plans need a long time to prepare; and in the meantime the soldiers of Cao Cao will arrive from Hefei。 Do not try such long…drawn…out schemes; but take advantage of the fine; fresh spirit of our newly arrived troops and attack impetuously。 Their elan will carry the wall。 If you attack tomorrow at dawn; the city will fall before noon。〃

So the early meal was taken at the fifth watch; and the army went to the attack。 The defenders sent down showers of arrows and stones。 Gan Ning took an iron chain in his hand and climbed up the wall。 They shot at him with bows and crossbows; but he turned aside the arrows and bolts; and he threw the chain round Governor Zhu Guang to pull him down。 Lu Meng beat the drum for the attack。 The soldiers made a rush forward to climb the wall; and they slew Zhu Guang。 His officers and soldiers gave in; and so Huancheng fell to Sun Quan。 It was still a long time to noon。

In the meantime Zhang Liao was marching to the aid of the city。 Half…way he heard that the city had fallen; and so he returned to Hefei。

Soon after the conquerors entry into Huancheng; Ling Tong came there with his army。 The next few days were devoted to feasting the army。 Special rewards were given to the two generals who had done such good work at the capture; and at the banquet to the officers; Gan Ning was seated in the seat of honor; which his colleague; Lu Meng; readily yielded to him for his late prowess。

But as the cup of felicitation was passing round; Ling Tongs thoughts turned to the enmity he bore Gan Ning for having slain his father; and the praises which Lu Meng now heaped upon Gan Ning filled Ling Tongs heart with bitterness。 For some time he glared savagely at Gan Ning; and then he determined on revenge。

Drawing his sword; Ling Tong suddenly rose to his feet and cried; 〃There is nothing to amuse the assembly。 I will give them a display of swordsmanship!〃

Gan Ning quickly saw his real intention。 He pushed back his table and laid hold of a halberd in each hand; crying; 〃And you may also watch an adept in the use of this weapon!〃

Lu Meng saw the evil meaning of both; and assuming his sword and shield; he hastily stepped between the two warriors; saying; 〃Neither of you gentlemen is so dexterous as I。〃

So he forced the two batants asunder; while someone ran to tell Sun Quan。 The Marquis hastily jumped into the saddle and rode to the banquet hall。 At sight of their lord; they all three lowered their weapons。

〃I have bidden you two to forget this old enmity;〃 said Sun Quan。 〃Why do you revive it today?〃

Ling Tong prostrated himself in tears。 Sun Quan exhorted him to forget his quarrel; and once again there was peace。

The next day the army set out for Hefei。

Because of the loss of Huancheng; Zhang Liao grieved greatly。 Cao Cao had sent by the hands of Xue Ti a small casket sealed with his own seal and bearing outside the words; 〃If rebels e; open this。〃

So when he received the news of the ing of a powerful army; Zhang Liao opened the casket and read the letter therein:

〃If Sun Quan es to attack Hefei; the two Generals Li Dian and Zhang Liao are to go out to oppose him; and Yue Jing is to be left to guard the walls。〃

Zhang Liao sent the letter to the two men named therein。

〃What do you think to do?〃 said Yue Jing。

Zhang Liao replied; 〃Our lord is away; and Wu is ing to attack for certain。 We must go out to repel them and exert ourselves to the utmost to inflict defeat upon their advanced guard。 Thus we shall appease the fears of the populace; and then we can hold as best we may。〃

But Li Dian was silent; for he was ever unfriendly to Zhang Liao。

Then seeing his colleague inclined to hold off; Yue Jing said; 〃I am for remaining on the defensive; since the enemy is so much more numerous than we。〃

〃Gentlemen; it seems you are selfish and not devoted to the mon weal;〃 said Zhang Liao。 〃You may have your private reasons for what you do; but I intend to go out and try to repel the enemy。 I will fight them to the death。〃

Thereupon Zhang Liao bade his servants saddle his steed。

At this; Li Dians better feelings were aroused; and he rose; saying; 〃How can I be careless of the mon weal and indulge my private feelings? I

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