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　the　city。

Lofty　as　is　heaven　above　earth　was　the　spirit　of　the　general；
Who；　even　in　his　old　age；　suffered　sorrows　in　the　south；
Cheerfully　had　he　approached　death；　with　no　thought　of　resentment；
But；　bowing　before　the　conqueror；　he　hung　his　head　and　was　ashamed。
Praise　the　sword；　gleaming　snow…white；　and　the　glory　of　super…human　bravery；
Consider　the　mail…clad　steed　snuffing　the　wind　and　rejoicing　in　the　battle；
That　warrior's　name　shall　stand　high　and　its　brightness　be　undiminished；
While　the　cold　moon　sheds　her　light　on　the　waters　of　River　Xiang。

Liu　Bei　was　generous　toward　the　veteran　leader　who　had　e　under　his　banner。　But　when　Wei　Yan　was　introduced；　Zhuge　Liang　suddenly　ordered　him　to　be　thrust　forth　and　put　to　death。
〃He　has　merit；　he　has　mitted　no　fault；〃　exclaimed　Liu　Bei。　〃Why　slay　him？〃
But　Zhuge　Liang　replied；　〃Ingratitude。　To　eat　a　man's　bread　and　slay　him　is　most　disloyal；　to　live　on　his　land　and　offer　his　territory　to　another　is　most　wrong。　He　will　certainly　turn　against　his　new　master。　Wherefore　it　is　well　to　put　him　to　death　and　prevent　him　from　doing　harm。〃
〃If　we　slay　this　man；　others　who　may　wish　to　surrender　will　be　deterred　by　the　danger。　I　pray　you　forgive　him。〃
Zhuge　Liang　pointed　his　finger　at　Wei　Yan　and　said；　〃You　are　pardoned。　You　would　do　well　to　be　perfectly　faithful　to　your　lord　as　well　as　grateful。　Do　not　let　a　single　thought　stray　elsewhere；　or　I　will　have　your　head　by　fair　means　or　foul。〃
Wei　Yan　made　a　low　obeisance。
Having　given　in　with　good　grace；　Huang　Zhong　introduced　a　nephew　of　Liu　Biao；　named　Liu　Pan；　then　living　in　Yuxian　near　by。　Liu　Bei　gave　Liu　Pan　the　governorship　of　Changsha。
All　being　tranquil　at　the　four　territories；　Liu　Bei　and　his　army　returned　to　Jingzhou　City。　The　name　of　Youkou　was　changed　to　Gongan；　and　soon　all　was　prosperous。　Able　people　from　all　sides　came　to　assist　in　the　administration。　Guards　were　placed　at　strategic　points。
When　Zhou　Yu　went　to　Chaisang　to　recover　from　his　wound；　he　left　Gan　Ning　in　mand　at　Baling　and　Ling　Tong　at　Hanyang。　The　fleet　was　shared　between　these　two　places　to　be　ready　to　move　when　required。　The　remainder　of　the　force　was　under　Cheng　Pu；　and　he　went　to　Hefei；　where　Sun　Quan　had　been　since　the　fight　at　the　Red　Cliffs。　Sun　Quan　was　still　fighting　the　northern　army；　and　in　half　a　score　encounters；　small　and　great；　neither　had　gained　a　decided　advantage。　Sun　Quan　could　not　approach　the　city　but　entrenched　himself　about　fifteen　miles　away。
When　Sun　Quan　heard　of　the　ing　of　reinforcements　of　Cheng　Pu；　he　was　very　pleased　and　went　in　person　to　meet　and　wele　the　leaders。　Lu　Su　was　in　advance　of　the　main　body；　and　Sun　Quan　dismounted　and　stood　by　the　roadside　to　greet　him。　As　soon　as　he　saw　this；　Lu　Su　slid　out　of　the　saddle　and　made　his　obeisance。
But　the　officers　were　amazed　at　the　attitude　of　Sun　Quan；　and　still　more　so　when　Sun　Quan　asked　Lu　Su　to　remount　and　ride　by　his　side。
Presently　Sun　Quan　said　secretly　to　Lu　Su；　〃I；　the　Lone　One；　dismounted　to　greet　you　as　you　saw。　Was　that　manifestation　enough　for　you？〃
〃No；〃　replied　Lu　Su。
〃Then　what　further　can　I　do？〃

＇e＇　In　ancient　time；　the　empire　was　divided　into　nine　regions。　The　emperor　was　called　the　Lord　of　Nine　Regions。　More　regions　had　been　created　over　the　time。　In　Three　Kingdoms　period；　there　had　been　more　than　nine　regions。
〃I　want　to　see　your　authority　and　virtue　spread　over　the　four　seas　and　enfold　the　nine　regions*；　and　you　yourself　playing　your　part　as　emperor。　Then　will　my　name　be　inscribed　in　the　annals；　and　I　shall　indeed　be　known。〃
Sun　Quan　clapped　his　hands　and　laughed　gleefully。
When　they　reached　the　camp；　a　banquet　was　prepared　and　the　services　of　the　new　arrivals　were　praised　and　glorified。
The　destruction　of　Hefei　was　one　day　under　discussion；　when　one　came　in　to　say　that　Zhang　Liao　had　sent　a　written　challenge　to　battle。　Sun　Quan　tore　open　the　cover；　and　what　he　read　therein　made　him　very　wrath。
〃This　Zhang　Liao　has　insulted　me　grossly；〃　said　he。　〃He　hears　that　Cheng　Pu　has　arrived　and　sends　a　challenge。　Tomorrow；　O　newly…e　warriors；　you　shall　see　me　fight　with　him。　You　shall　have　no　share　in　the　battle。〃
Orders　were　given　that　next　morning　the　army　would　move　out　of　camp　and　advance　on　Hefei。　Early　in　the　morning；　when　they　had　advanced　about　halfway；　they　met　the　army　of　Cao　Cao　and　prepared　for　battle。　Sun　Quan；　with　helmet　of　gold　and　breastplate　of　silver；　rode　to　the　front　with　Song　Qian　and　Jia　Hua；　each　armed　with　a　halberd　to　support　him　and　guard　him　one　on　each　side。
When　the　third　roll　of　the　drum　ceased；　the　center　of　Cao　Cao's　army　opened　to　allow　the　exit　of　three　warriors；　all　fully　armed。　They　were　Zhang　Liao；　supported　by　Li　Dian　and　Yue　Jing。　Zhang　Liao；　the　central　figure；　especially　designated　Sun　Quan　as　the　object　of　his　challenge。　Sun　Quan　took　his　spear　and　was　about　to　accept　the　challenge；　from　when　the　ranks　behind　him　came　out　Taishi　Ci；　who　galloped　forth　with　his　spear　ready　to　thrust。　Zhang　Liao　whirled　up　his　sword　to　strike　the　newer；　and　the　two　fought　near　a　hundred　bouts　without　a　decisive　blow。
Then　said　Li　Dian　to　Yue　Jing；　〃He　there　opposite　us　with　the　golden　helm　is　Sun　Quan。　Could　we　but　capture　him；　the　loss　of　our　eight　hundred　thirty　thousand　soldiers　at　the　Red　Cliffs　would　be　amply　avenged。〃
So　speaking　Yue　Jing　rode　out；　alone；　just　one　man　and　one　sword；　and　went　sidelong　toward　the　two　batants。　Then　suddenly；　swift　as　a　flash　of　lightning；　he　ran　forward　and　slashed　at　Sun　Quan。　But　Sun　Quan's　two　guards　were　too　quick　for　him。　Up　went　the　two　halberds　of　Song　Qian　and　Jia　Hua　guarding　their　lord's　head。　The　blow　fell；　but　on　the　crossed　halberds　which　were　shorn　through　near　the　head；　and　in　another　moment　they　were　hammering　away　on　the　head　of　Yue　Jing's　steed　with　the　shafts　of　their　broken　weapons　and　forcing　it　back。
Song　Qian　snatched　a　spear　from　a　soldier　near　and　went　in　pursuit　of　Yue　Jing；　but　Li　Dian；　on　the　other　side；　fitted　an　arrow　to　his　bow　and　aimed　at　Song　Qian's　heart　from　behind。　And　Song　Qian　fell　as　the　bowstring　twanged。
Then　Taishi　Ci；　seeing　his　colleague　fell；　left　off　the　fight　with　Zhang　Liao　and　returned　to　his　own　line。　At　this　Zhang　Liao　fell　on　in　a　swift　attack；　and　the　army　of　Sun　Quan；　thrown　into　confusion；　scattered　and　fled。
Zhang　Liao；　having　distinguished　Sun　Quan　in　the　distance；　galloped　in　pursuit　and　had　nearly　e　up　with　him；　when　Cheng　Pu　happily　rushed　in　from　one　side　of　the　line　of　fight；　stayed　the　pursuit；　and　saved　his　master。　Zhang　Liao　withdrew　to　Hefei。　Sun　Quan　was　escorted　back　to　his　main　camp；　where　his　beaten　soldiers　gradually　rejoined　him　and　their　ranks　were　reformed。
When　Sun　Quan　knew　of　the　death　of　Song　Qian；　he　was　greatly　pained　and　wept　aloud。
But　Adviser　Zhang　Hong　reproached　him；　saying；　〃My　lord；　you　relied　too　much　upon　your　martial　prowess　and　lightly　engaged　in　battle　with　a　formidable　enemy。　Every　person　in　the　army　was　chilled　with　fear；　and　you　lost　a　general　and　some　of　your　banners。　It　is　not　for　you　to　exhibit　prowess　on　the　actual　battlefield　and　encroach　upon　the　duties　of　a　general。　Rather　curb　and　repress　such　physical　feats　as　those　ancient　Xia　Yu　and　Meng　Ben；　and　contemplate　schemes　of　exercising　princely　virtues　with　the　hegemony　of　all　the　feudal　states。　It　is　because　of　your　ill…regulated　action　in　engaging　in　battle　that　Song　Qian　perished　at　the　hands　of　your　enemies。　Hereafter　you　should　regard　as　most　important　your　personal　safety。〃
〃Yes；　it　is　indeed　a　fault；〃　said　Sun　Quan。　〃I　will　reform。〃
Soon　after；　Taishi　Ci　entered　the　tent　and　said；　〃In　my　mand　there　is　a　certain　Ge　Ding；　brother　of　a　groom　in　the　army　of　Zhang　Liao。　This　servant　is　deeply　resentful　on　account　of　a　punishment　inflicted　upon　him　and　is　anxious　to　be　revenged。　He　has　sent　over　to　say　that　he　will　show　a　signal　tonight　when　he　has　assassinated　Zhang　Liao　in　revenge　for　the　death　of　your　late　leader　Song　Qian。　I　wish　to　take　some　troops　over　to　await　this　signal　to　attack。〃
〃Where　is　Ge　Ding？〃　asked　Sun　Quan。
〃Ge　Ding　has　mingled　with　the　enemy　and　gone　into　the　city。　Let　me　have　five　thousand　soldiers。〃
Zhuge　Jin　said；　〃Zhang　Liao　is　full　of　guile。　I　think　you　will　find　him　prepared　for　your　ing。　Be　careful。〃
As　Taishi　Ci　urged　his　chief　to　let　him　go；　and　Sun　Quan　was　deeply　hurt　by　the　death　of　his　leader；　the　permission　was　given　and　the　force　started。
Now　here　it　must　be　said　that　Taishi　Ci　and　this　Ge　Ding　were　natives　of　the　same　place。　Ge　Ding　had　made　his　way　into　the　city　without　detection；　found　his　brother；　and　the　two　had　arranged　their　plot。
Ge　Ding　also　told　him；　saying；　〃Taishi　Ci　will　e　over　tonight　to　help　us。　What　need　to　be　done　now？〃
His　brother；　the　groom；　said；　〃As　the　troops　of　Sun　Quan　are　far　away；　I　fear　they　cannot　be　here　tonight；　so　we　will　make　a　huge　bonfire　of　straw　and　then　you　can　rush　out　and　cry　treachery。　That　will　throw　all　into　confusion　and　will　give　a　chance　to　kill　Zhang　Liao。〃
〃This　is　an　excellent　plan；〃　said　Ge　Ding。
Now　after　the　victory；　Zhang　Liao　returned　to　the　city　and　rewarded　his　soldiers；　but　he　issued　orders　that　no　one　was　to　doff　his　armor　or　sleep。
His　attendants　said；　〃You　have　gained　a　great　victory　today；　and　the　enemy　are　far　away。　You　might　doff　your　armor　and　get　some　repose。〃
But　Zhang　Liao　replied；　〃That　is　not　the　way　of　a　leader。　A　victory　is　no　reason　for　rejoicing；　nor　should　a　defeat　cause　sadness。　If　those　of　the　South　Land　suspect　that　I　am　unprepared；　they　will　attack。　And　we　must　be　ready　to　repel　them。　Be　ready　tonight　and　be　doubly　careful。〃
Scarcely　had　he　said　this　than　a　fire　started　and　cries　of　〃Treachery！〃　arose。　Many　rushed　to　tell　the　leader；　who　went　out　and　called　together　his　guard　of　about　half　a　score。　They　took　up　a　manding　position　in　the　way。
Those　about　him　said；　〃The　shouts　are　insistent。　You　ought　to　go　and　see　what　it　means。〃
〃A　whole　city　cannot　be　traitors；〃　said　Zhang　Liao。　〃Some　discontented　person　has　frightened　the　soldiers。　If　I　see　anyone　doing　so；　I　will　slay　him。〃
Soon　after　this　Li　Dian　dragged　up　Ge　Ding　and　his　fellow　traitor。　After　a　few　brief　questions；　they　were　beheaded。
Then　arose　a　great　noise；　shouting　and　the　rolling　of　drums　was　heard　outside　the　gate。
〃That　means　the　troops　of　South　Land　are　there　to　help；〃　said　Zhang　Liao。　〃But　we　will　destroy　them　by　a　simple　ruse。〃
He　bade　them　light　torches　and　yell　〃Treachery！　Rebellion！〃　and　throw　open　the　city　gates　and　let　down　the　drawbridge。
When　Taishi　Ci　saw　the　gates　swing　open；　he　thought　his　scheme　was　going　well　and　in　full　confidence　rode　in　at　the　gate。　But　just　at　the　entrance　a　signal　bomb　suddenly　exploded；　and　the　enemy　arrows　came　down　on　him　like　pelting　rain。　Then　he　knew　he　had　fallen　into　a　snare　and　turned　to　ride　out。　But　he　was　wounded　in　many　places。　And　in　the　pursuit　that　followed；　more　than　half　the　troops　under　Taishi　Ci　were　cut　off。　As　he　drew　near　his　own　lines；　a　rescue　force　led　by　Lu　Xun　and　Dong　Xi　came　to　his　aid；　and　the　Cao　Cao's　soldiers　ceased　from　pursuit。
Sun　Quan　was　exceedingly　sad　when　he　learned　that　his　faithful　general　had　been　grievously　wounded。　Then　Zhang　Zhao　prayed　him　to　cease　from　war；　and　Sun　Quan　was　content。　They　gathered　in　their　soldiers　to　their　ships　and　sailed　to　Nanxu　and　Runzhou　where　they　camped。
Meanwhile　Taishi　Ci　was　dying。
When　his　lord　went　to　ask　how　he　fared；　he　cried；　〃When　a　worthy　person　is　born　into　a　turbulent　world；　he　has　to　be　a　soldier　and　gird　on　a　three…span　sword　to　step　on　the　mountains　to　mend　the　sky。　I　have　not　rendered　great　service。　Why　must　I　die　before　I　have　attained　my　desire？〃
These　were　his　last　words。　He　was　forty…one　years　of　age。

Single　minded　and　perfectly　loyal；
Such　was　Taishi　Ci；　in　Donglai；
Far　distant　frontiers　rang　with　his　exploits；
Riding　or　archery；　all　humans　he　excelled；
One　in　Bohai　who　admired　his　valor；
Cared　for　his　mother　while　he　was　fighting；
How　he　roared　in　the　battle　at　Shenting！
Dying；　he　spoke　as　a　hero；
All　through　the　ages　people　sigh　for　his　fate。

Sun　Quan　was　exceedingly　grieved　when　this　second　of　his　leaders　died。　He　gave　orders　to　bury　his　remains　most　honorably　outside　the　north　wall　of　Nanxu　on　Beigu　Hill　and　took　his　son；　Taishi　Heng；　into　his　own　palace　to　be　brought　up。
In　Jingzhou；　when　Liu　Bei　heard　of