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His　rade　Zhang　Neng　with　the　other　ships　was　ing　up　with　great　shouts；　when　Zhou　Tai　sailed　up　at　an　angle；　and　these　two　squadrons　began　shooting　arrows　at　each　other　in　clouds。　Zhou　Tai　fended　off　the　arrows　with　his　shield　and　stood　gripping　his　sword　firmly　till　his　ships　came　within　a　few　spans　of　the　enemy's　ships；　when　he　leaped　across　and　cut　down　Zhang　Neng。　Zhang　Neng's　dead　body　fell　into　the　water。　Then　the　battle　became　confused；　and　the　attacking　ships　rowed　hard　to　get　away。　The　southerners　pursued　but　soon　came　in　sight　of　Wen　Ping's　supporting　fleet。　Once　more　the　ships　engaged　and　the　forces　fought　with　each　other。
Zhou　Yu　with　his　officers　stood　on　the　summit　of　a　mountain　and　watched　his　own　and　the　enemy　ships　out　on　the　river。　The　flags　and　the　ensigns　were　all　in　perfect　order。　Then　he　saw　Wen　Ping　and　his　own　fleets　engaged　in　battle；　and　soon　it　was　evident　that　the　former　was　not　a　match　for　his　own　sailors。　Wen　Ping　turned　about　to　retire；　Han　Dang　and　Zhou　Tai　pursued。　Zhou　Yu　fearing　lest　his　sailors　should　go　too　far；　then　hoisted　the　white　flag　of　recall。
To　his　officers　Zhou　Yu　said；　〃The　masts　of　the　northern　ships　stand　thick　as　reeds。　Cao　Cao　himself　is　full　of　wiles。　How　can　we　destroy　him？〃
No　one　replied；　for　just　then　the　great　yellow　flag　that　flapped　in　the　breeze　in　the　middle　of　Cao　Cao's　fleet　suddenly　fell　over　into　the　river。
Zhou　Yu　laughed。
〃That　is　a　bad　omen；〃　said　he。
Then　an　extra　violent　blast　of　wind　came　by；　and　the　waves　rose　high　and　beat　upon　the　bank。　A　corner　of　his　own　flag　flicked　Zhou　Yu　on　the　cheek；　and　suddenly　a　thought　flashed　through　his　mind。　Zhou　Yu　uttered　a　loud　cry；　staggered；　and　fell　backward。　They　picked　him　up。　There　was　blood　upon　his　lips；　and　he　was　unconscious。　Presently；　however；　he　revived。

And　once　he　laughed；　then　gave　a　cry；
This　is　hard　to　ensure　a　victory。

Zhou　Yu's　fate　will　appear　as　the　story　unfolds。
　Main　Next　to　Chapter　49　》》

　　　Romance　of　Three　Kingdoms　…　by　Luo　Guanzhong　…　Chapter　49
　Chapter　49
On　Seven…Star　Altar；　Zhuge　Liang　Sacrifices　To　The　Winds；
At　Three　Gorges；　Zhou　Yu　Liberates　The　Fire。
In　the　last　chapter　Zhou　Yu　was　seized　with　sudden　illness　as　he　watched　the　fleets　of　his　enemy。　He　was　borne　to　his　tent；　and　his　officers　came　in　multitudes　to　inquire　after　him。
They　looked　at　each　other；　saying；　〃What　a　pity　our　general　should　be　taken　ill；　when　Cao　Cao's　legions　threaten　so　terribly！　What　would　happen　if　Cao　Cao　attacked？〃
Messengers　with　the　evil　tidings　were　sent　to　Sun　Quan；　while　the　physicians　did　their　best　for　the　invalid。　Lu　Su　was　particularly　sad　at　the　illness　of　his　patron　and　went　to　see　Zhuge　Liang　to　talk　it　over。
〃What　do　you　make　of　it？〃　said　Zhuge　Liang。
〃Good　luck　for　Cao　Cao；　bad　for　us；〃　said　Lu　Su。
〃I　could　cure　him；〃　said　Zhuge　Liang　laughing。
〃If　you　could；　Wu　would　be　very　fortunate；〃　said　Lu　Su。
Lu　Su　prayed　Zhuge　Liang　to　go　to　see　the　sick　man。　They　went；　and　Lu　Su　entered　first。　Zhou　Yu　lay　in　bed；　his　head　covered　by　a　quilt。
〃How　are　you；　General？〃　said　Lu　Su。
〃My　heart　pains　me。　Every　now　and　again　I　feel　faint　and　dizzy。〃
〃Have　you　taken　any　remedies？〃
〃My　gorge　rises　at　the　thought。　I　could　not。〃
〃I　saw　Zhuge　Liang　just　now；　and　he　says　he　could　heal　you。　He　is　just　outside；　and　I　will　call　him　if　you　like。〃
〃Ask　him　to　e　in。〃
Zhou　Yu　bade　his　servants　help　him　to　a　sitting　position；　and　Zhuge　Liang　entered。
〃I　have　not　seen　you　for　days；〃　said　Zhuge　Liang。　〃How　could　I　guess　that　you　were　unwell？〃
〃How　can　anyone　feel　secure？　We　are　constantly　the　playthings　of　luck；　good　or　bad。〃
〃Yes。　Heaven's　winds　and　clouds　are　not　to　be　measured。　No　one　can　reckon　their　ings　and　goings；　can　they？〃
Zhou　Yu　turned　pale　and　a　low　groan　escaped　him；　while　his　visitor　went　on；　〃You　feel　depressed；　do　you　not？　As　though　troubles　were　piling　up　in　your　heart？〃
〃That　is　exactly　how　I　feel；〃　said　Zhou　Yu。
〃You　need　cooling　medicine　to　dissipate　this　sense　of　oppression。〃
〃I　have　taken　a　cooling　draught；　but　it　has　done　no　good。〃
〃You　must　get　the　humors　into　good　order　before　the　drugs　will　have　any　effect。〃
Zhou　Yu　began　to　think　Zhuge　Liang　knew　what　was　really　the　matter　and　resolved　to　test　him。
〃What　should　be　taken　to　produce　a　favorable　temper？〃　said　Zhou　Yu。
〃I　know　one　means　of　producing　a　favorable　temper；〃　replied　Zhuge　Liang。
〃I　wish　you　would　tell　me。〃
Zhuge　Liang　got　out　writing　materials；　sent　away　the　servants；　and　then　wrote　a　few　words：

〃To　defeat　Cao　Cao
You　have　to　use　fire；
All　are　in　your　wish；
But　wind　from　the　east。〃

This　he　gave　to　the　sick　general；　saying；　〃That　is　the　origin　of　your　illness。〃
Zhou　Yu　read　the　words　with　great　surprise；　and　it　confirmed　his　secret　opinion　that　Zhuge　Liang　really　was　rather　more　than　human。　He　decided　that　the　only　course　was　to　be　open　and　tell　him　all。
So　he　said；　〃Since　you　know　the　cause　of　the　disease；　what　do　you　remend　as　treatment？　The　need　of　a　remedy　is　very　urgent。〃
〃I　have　no　great　talent；〃　said　Zhuge　Liang；　〃but　I　have　had　to　do　with　humans　of　no　ordinary　gifts　from　whom　I　have　received　certain　magical　books　called　'Concealing　Method'。　I　can　call　the　winds　and　summon　the　rains。　Since　you　need　a　southeast　breeze；　General；　you　must　build　an　altar　on　the　Southern　Hills；　the　Altar　of　the　Seven　Stars。　It　must　be　nine　spans　high；　with　three　steps；　surrounded　by　a　guard　of　one　hundred　and　twenty　humans　bearing　flags。　On　this　altar　I　will　work　a　spell　to　procure　a　strong　southeast　gale　for　three　days　and　three　nights。　Do　you　approve？〃
〃Never　mind　three　whole　days；〃　said　Zhou　Yu。　〃One　day　of　strong　wind　will　serve　my　purpose。　But　it　must　be　done　at　once　and　without　delay。〃
〃I　will　sacrifice　for　a　wind　for　three　days　from　the　twentieth　day　of　the　moon。　Will　that　suit　you？〃
Zhou　Yu　was　delighted　and　hastily　rose　from　his　couch　to　give　the　necessary　orders。　He　manded　that　five　hundred　men　should　be　sent　to　the　mountains　to　build　the　altar；　and　he　told　off　the　guard　of　one　hundred　and　twenty　to　bear　the　flags　and　be　at　the　orders　of　Zhuge　Liang。
Zhuge　Liang　took　his　leave；　went　forth；　and　rode　off　with　Lu　Su　to　the　mountains　where　they　measured　out　the　ground。　He　bade　the　soldiers　build　the　altar　of　red　earth　from　the　southeast　quarter。　It　was　two　hundred　and　forty　spans　in　circuit；　square　in　shape；　and　of　three　tiers；　each　of　three　spans；　in　all　nine　spans　high。
On　the　lowest　tier　he　placed　the　flags　of　the　twenty…eight　〃houses〃　of　the　heavens　and　four　constellations：　On　the　east　seven；　with　blue　flags；　on　the　north　seven；　with　black　flags；　on　the　west　seven；　with　white　flags；　and　on　the　south　seven；　with　red　flags。
Around　the　second　tier　he　placed　sixty…four　yellow　flags；　corresponding　to　the　number　of　the　diagrams　of　the　Book　of　Divination；　in　eight　groups　of　eight。
Four　men　were　stationed　on　the　highest　platform；　each　wearing　a　Taoist　headdress　and　a　black　silk　robe　embroidered　with　the　phoenix　and　confined　with　wide　sashes。　They　wore　scarlet　boots　and　square…cut　skirts。　On　the　left　front　stood　a　man　supporting　a　tall　pole　bearing　at　its　top　a　plume　of　light　feathers　to　show　by　their　least　movement　the　wind's　first　breathing。　On　the　right　front　was　a　man　holding　a　tall　pole　whereon　was　a　flag　with　the　symbol　of　the　seven　stars　to　show　the　direction　and　force　of　the　wind。　On　the　left　rear　stood　a　man　with　a　sword；　and　on　the　right　rear　a　man　with　a　censer。
Below　the　altar　were　forty…four　men　holding　flags；　umbrellas；　spears；　lances；　yellow　banners；　white　axes；　red　banderoles；　and　black　ensigns。　And　these　were　spaced　about　the　altar。
On　the　appointed　day　Zhuge　Liang；　having　chosen　a　propitious　moment；　bathed　his　body　and　purified　himself。　Then　he　robed　himself　as　a　Taoist；　loosened　his　locks；　and　approached　the　altar。
He　bade　Lu　Su　retire；　saying；　〃Return　to　the　camp　and　assist　the　General　in　setting　out　his　forces。　Should　my　prayers　avail　not；　do　not　wonder。〃
So　Lu　Su　left　him。　Then　Zhuge　Liang　manded　the　guards　on　no　account　to　absent　themselves；　to　maintain　strict　silence；　and　to　be　reverent。　Death　would　be　the　penalty　of　disobedience。
Next；　with　solemn　steps　he　ascended　the　altar；　faced　the　proper　quarter；　lighted　the　incense；　and　sprinkled　the　water　in　the　basins。　This　done　he　gazed　into　the　heavens　and　prayed　silently。　The　prayer　ended　he　descended　and　returned　to　his　tent。　After　a　brief　rest　he　allowed　the　soldiers　by　turns　to　go　away　to　eat。
Thrice　that　day　he　ascended　the　altar　and　thrice　descended；　but　there　was　no　sign　of　the　wind。
During　that　time；　Zhou　Yu；　with　Cheng　Pu　and　Lu　Su　and　other　military　officials　on　duty；　sat　waiting　in　the　tent　till　the　wished…for　wind　should　blow　and　the　attack　could　be　launched。　Messengers　were　also　sent　to　Sun　Quan　to　prepare　to　support　the　forward　movement。
Huang　Gai　had　his　fire　ships　ready；　twenty　of　them。　The　fore　parts　of　the　ships　were　thickly　studded　with　large　nails；　and　they　were　loaded　with　dry　reeds；　wood　soaked　in　fish　oil；　and　covered　with　sulfur；　saltpeter；　and　other　inflammables。　The　ships　were　covered　in　with　black　oiled　cloth。　In　the　prow　of　each　was　a　black　dragon　flag　with　indentations。　A　fighting　ship　was　attached　to　the　stern　of　each　to　propel　it　forward。　All　were　ready　and　awaited　orders　to　move。
Meanwhile　Cao　Cao's　two　spies；　Cai　He　and　Cai　Zhong；　were　being　guarded　carefully　in　an　outer　camp　far　from　the　river　bank　and　daily　entertained　with　feasting。　They　were　not　allowed　to　know　of　the　preparations。　The　watch　was　so　close　that　not　a　trickle　of　information　reached　the　prisoners。
Presently；　while　Zhou　Yu　was　anxiously　awaiting　in　his　tent　for　the　desired　wind；　a　messenger　came　to　say　that　Sun　Quan　had　anchored　at　a　place　thirty　miles　from　the　camp；　where　he　awaited　news　from　the　mander…in…Chief。
Lu　Su　was　sent　to　warn　all　the　various　manders　to　be　ready；　the　ships　and　their　weapons；　sails　and　oars；　all　for　instant　use；　and　to　impress　upon　them　the　penalties　of　being　caught　unprepared。　The　soldiers　were　indeed　ready　for　the　fight　and　yearning　for　the　fray。
But　the　sky　remained　obstinately　clear；　and　as　night　drew　nigh　no　breath　of　air　stirred。
〃We　have　been　cajoled；〃　said　Zhou　Yu。　〃Indeed　what　possibility　is　there　of　a　southeast　wind　in　midwinter？〃
〃Zhuge　Liang　would　not　use　vain　and　deceitful　words；〃　replied　Lu　Su。
Towards　the　third　watch；　the　sound　of　a　movement　arose　in　the　air。　Soon　the　flags　fluttered　out。　And　when　the　mander…in…Chief　went　out　to　make　sure；　he　saw　they　were　flowing　toward　the　northwest。　In　a　very　short　time　the　southeast　wind　was　in　full　force。
Zhou　Yu　was；　however；　frightened　at　the　power　of　the　man　whose　help　he　had　invoked。
He　said；　〃Really　the　man　has　power　over　the　heavens　and　authority　over　the　earth。　His　methods　are　incalculable；　beyond　the　ken　of　god　or　devil。　He　cannot　be　allowed　to　live　to　be　a　danger　to　our　land　of　the　south。　We　must　slay　him　soon　to　fend　off　later　evils。〃
So　Zhou　Yu　resolved　to　mit　a　crime　to　remove　his　dangerous　rival。
He　called　two　of　the　generals　of　his　guard；　Ding　Feng　and　Xu　Sheng；　and　said　to　them；　〃Each　of　you　take　a　party　of　one　hundred　troops；　one　along　the　river；　the　other　along　the　road；　to　the　altar　on　the　mountains。　As　soon　as　you　get　there；　without　asking　questions　or　giving　reasons；　you　are　to　seize　and　behead　Zhuge　Liang。　Rich　reward　will　be　given　when　you　bring　his　head　back。〃
Xu　Sheng　and　Ding　Feng　went　off　on　their　errand；　the　former　leading　dagger　and　ax…men　going　as　fast　as　oars　could　propel　them　along　the　river；　the　latter　at　the　head　of　archers　and　bowmen　on　horseback。　The　southeast　wind　buffeted　them　as　they　went　on　their　way。

High　was　raised　the　Seven　Stars　Altar；
On　it　prayed　the　Sleeping　Dragon
For　an　eastern　wind；　and　straightway
Blew　the　wind。　Had　not　the　wizard
Exercised　his　mighty　magic
Nought　had　Zhou　Yu's　skill　availed。

Ding　Feng　first　arrived。　He　saw　the　guards　with　their　flags；　dropped　off　his　steed；　and　marched　to　the　altar；　sword　in　hand。　But　he　found　no　Zhuge　Liang。
When　he　asked　the　guards；　they　told　him；　saying；　〃He　has　just　gone　down。〃
Ding　Feng　ran　down　the　hill　to　search。　There　he　met　his　fellow　Xu　Sheng；　and　they　joined　forces。
Presently　a　simple　soldier　told　them；　saying；　〃The　evening　before　a　small；　fast　boat　anchored　there　near　a　sand　spit；　and　Zhuge　Liang　was　seen　to　go　on　board。　Then　the　boat　went　up