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ray　you　return　to　the　main　camp；〃　said　they。
But　the　veteran　would　not。　Next　day　Pan　Zhang　came　to　challenge　again；　and　Huang　Zhong　at　once　accepted。　Nor　would　he　allow　Guan　Xing　and　Zhang　Bao　to　e　with　him；　or　accept　assistance　from　any　other。
He　led　out　five　thousand　troops。　Before　many　bouts　had　been　exchanged；　Pan　Zhang　made　a　feint　and　got　away。　Huang　Zhong　pursued；　shouting　to　him　not　to　flee。
〃Flee　not；　for　now　will　I　avenge　the　death　of　Guan　Yu！〃　cried　he。
Huang　Zhong　pursued　some　ten　miles；　but　presently　he　fell　into　an　ambush　and　found　himself　attacked　from　all　sides………Zhou　Tai　on　the　left；　Han　Dang　on　the　right；　Ling　Tong　from　behind；　and　the　erstwhile　flying　Pan　Zhang　turned　to　attack　the　front………；　so　that　he　was　surrounded　and　hemmed　in。　Huang　Zhong　forced　his　way　to　retreat。　But　suddenly　a　great　storm　came　on；　the　wind　blowing　violently；　and　as　Huang　Zhong　was　passing　some　hills；　an　enemy　cohort　led　by　Ma　Zhong　came　down　the　slopes；　and　one　of　the　arrows　wounded　the　veteran　in　the　armpit。　He　nearly　fell　from　his　horse　with　the　shock。　The　soldiers　of　Wu；　seeing　Huang　Zhong　wounded；　came　on　all　together；　but　soon　the　two　youthful　generals；　Guan　Xing　and　Zhang　Bao；　drove　them　off　and　scattered　them。　Thus　they　rescued　Huang　Zhong。
He　was　taken　back　to　the　main　camp。　But　he　was　old　and　his　blood　was　thin；　and　the　wound　gaped　wide；　so　that　he　was　near　to　die。
The　First　Ruler　came　to　visit　him　and　patted　his　back　and　said；　〃It　is　my　fault；　O　Veteran　General；　that　you　have　been　hurt　in　the　battle！〃
〃I　am　a　soldier；〃　said　the　old　man。　〃I　am　glad　that　I　could　serve　Your　Majesty。　But　now　I　am　seventy…five；　and　I　have　lived　long　enough。　Be　careful　of　your　own　safety　for　the　good　of　the　state。〃
These　were　his　last　words。　He　became　unconscious　and　died　that　night。　A　poem　was　written　of　him：

First　among　veterans　stands　Huang　Zhong；
Who　won　great　merit　in　the　conquest　of　Shu。
Old；　he　still　donned　his　coat　of　mail；
And　laid　his　hand　to　the　curving　bow。
His　valor　was　the　talk　of　all　the　north；
Fear　of　his　might　maintained　the　west。
Tardy　he　bowed　his　snow…white　head　to　death；
Fighting　to　the　end………in　very　truth　a　hero。

Huang　Zhong　passed　away；　and　the　First　Ruler　looked　on；　very　sad。　He　made　Huang　Zhong　a　grave　in　Chengdu　and　ordered　an　honorable　burial　there。
〃My　brave　general　is　gone；〃　sighed　he；　〃and　the　third　of　my　five　Tiger　Generals；　and　I　have　been　unable　to　avenge　their　death。　It　is　very　grievous！〃
So　the　Emperor　led　the　Imperial　Guards　to　Xiaoting；　where　he　summoned　a　great　assembly。　He　divided　his　forces　into　eight　parts　ready　for　an　attack　by　land　and　water。　The　marines　were　placed　under　Huang　Quan；　and　he　himself　led　the　land　forces。　It　was　then　the　second　month　of　the　second　year　of　Manifest　Might　Era　（AD　221）。
When　Han　Dang　and　Zhou　Tai　heard　that　the　army　of　Shu　was　approaching；　they　marched　toward　it。　When　near；　the　two　armies　were　arrayed。　The　two　leaders　of　Wu　rode　out　and　saw　the　First　Ruler　riding　out　under　the　great　standard　with　his　staff　about　him。　A　silken　umbrella　splashed　with　gold　was　over　his　head；　right　and　left　were　white　banners；　golden　axes；　and　other　insignia　of　an　emperor。
Then　Han　Dang　spoke；　〃Your　Majesty　is　now　the　Ruler　of　Shu。　Why　do　you　risk　your　life　in　the　battlefield？　It　would　be　most　regrettable　if　any　untoward　event　happened。〃
The　First　Ruler　pointed　the　finger　of　scorn　at　the　speaker　and　said；　〃You　rats　of　Wu　bereft　me　of　my　brother；　and　I　have　sworn　that　you　shall　not　live　with　me　under　the　same　sky！〃
〃Who　dares　plunge　in　among　the　enemy？〃　asked　Han　Dang；　turning　to　those　in　his　train。
Marching　General　Xia　Xun　set　his　spear　and　rode　to　the　front；　and　so　did　Zhang　Bao　with　a　roar　gallop　out　to　meet　him。　But　this　thunderous　voice　affrighted　Xia　Xun；　and　he　sought　to　flee。　Then　Zhou　Tai's　brother；　Zhou　Ping；　seeing　that　his　colleague　was　panic…stricken；　flourished　his　sword　and　rode　out　too。　At　once　Guan　Xing　dashed　to　the　front。　Zhang　Bao　roared　again　and　thrusting　at　Xia　Xun　and　unhorsing　him。　This　disconcerted　Zhou　Ping　and　enfeebled　his　defense；　so　that　Guan　Xing　speedily　slew　him　with　a　slash。　Then　the　two　youths　rode　furiously　at　Han　Dang　and　Zhou　Tai。　They　sought　refuge　in　their　battle　array。
〃The　tiger　fathers　have　not　begotten　curs　of　sons；〃　said　the　First　Ruler　with　a　sigh　of　satisfaction。
Then　he　waved　his　whip　as　a　signal　to　fall　on；　and　the　Wu　army　suffered　a　great　defeat。　The　Shu　force　of　the　eight　divisions　was　irresistible　as　a　river　in　flood；　and　the　slaughter　was　immense。
Gan　Ning　was　in　his　ship　ill；　but　he　roused　himself　when　he　heard　the　armies　of　Shu　had　e；　and　mounted　to　go　into　the　battle。　Soon　he　met　a　cohort　of　the　Mang　soldiers。　These　warriors　wore　their　hair　loose　and　went　barefoot。　Their　weapons　were　bows　and　crossbows　and　long　spears　and　swords　and　axes。　And　they　had　shields　to　ward　off　blows。　They　were　led　by　their　own　King　Shamo　Ke。　His　face　was　spotted　with　red　as　if　splashed　with　blood；　and　his　eyes　were　green　and　big。　He　rushed　among　Gan　Ning's　troops　wielding　a　spiked　iron　mace　with　bone　pendants；　and　he　had　two　bows　slung　at　his　belt。　He　was　terrible　to　look　upon。
Gan　Ning　recognized　that　he　had　no　chance　of　victory　against　such　a　man　and　did　not　engage　Shamo　Ke；　but　turned　his　steed　to　flee。　But　as　Gan　Ning　fled；　Shamo　Ke　shot　an　arrow　that　pierced　Gan　Ning's　skull。　Wounded　as　he　was；　Gan　Ning　rode　on　to　Fuchikou；　but　there　he　dismounted　and　sat　under　a　big　tree；　where　he　died。　On　the　tree　were　many　hundreds　of　crows；　and　they　gathered　round　the　corpse　as　if　to　protect　it。

＇e＇　Gan　Ning's　temple　on　the　mouth　of　Fuchi　River　is　still　here　today。　When　visitors　e　to　pay　respect；　they　often　see　crows　bidding　farewell　to　them　when　they　leave。
The　Prince　of　Wu　was　sore　grieved　at　the　news　of　Gan　Ning's　death；　and　had　the　remains　buried　honorably。　Moreover；　he　raised　a　temple　in　Fuchikou　to　Gan　Ning's　memory*。

Gan　Ning　was　first　of　warriors　in　Wu；
With　silken　sails　he　stemmed　the　Great　River's　tide；
Right　loyally　he　served　his　prince；　and　true；
He　made　two　ill　friends　put　their　hate　aside。
Light　horse　led　he　by　night　a　camp　to　raid；
And　first　he　warmed　his　soldiers　with　generous　wine。
In　his　resting　place　the　holy　crows　wele　guests；
And　fragrant　incense　smolders　at　his　shrine。

This　victory　gave　the　First　Ruler　possession　of　Xiaoting。　But　at　the　muster　after　the　battle；　Guan　Xing　did　not　appear。　Search　parties　were　sent　to　find　him；　and　they　went　far　and　wide　beating　the　country　around。
However；　the　dashing　young　soldier　was　only　following　in　his　father's　foe。　When　Guan　Xing　had　got　in　among　the　army　of　Wu；　he　had　caught　sight　of　Pan　Zhang；　his　especial　enemy；　and　galloped　in　pursuit。　In　terror；　Pan　Zhang　took　to　the　hills　and　disappeared　in　one　of　the　valleys。
In　seeking　him；　Guan　Xing　lost　his　way　and　went　to　and　fro　till　it　grew　dark　without　finding　a　way　out。　It　was　clear　moonlight。　Near　midnight　he　came　to　a　farm；　where　he　dismounted　and　knocked　at　the　door。　A　venerable　old　man　appeared　and　asked　who　he　was。
〃I　am　a　leader　of　the　army；　and　I　have　lost　my　way。　I　beg　a　meal；　for　I　am　starving；〃　said　Guan　Xing。
The　old　man　led　him　into　a　hall　lit　by　many　candles；　and　there　he　saw　in　the　family　altar　a　picture　of　Guan　Yu。　At　once　he　began　to　wail　and　bowed　before　it。
〃Why　do　you　wail　thus？〃　asked　the　old　man。
〃This　is　my　father；〃　said　Guan　Xing。
At　this；　the　old　man　prostrated　himself　before　his　guest。
〃Why　should　you　treat　my　father　with　such　respect？〃　asked　Guan　Xing。
〃This　place　is　sacred　to　his　honored　spirit。　While　he　lived　the　people　served　him；　and　now　that　he　is　a　spirit　should　they　not　revere　him　the　more？　I　have　been　waiting　for　the　armies　of　Shu　to　avenge　his　death；　and　it　is　indeed　the　great　good　fortune　of　the　people　that　you　have　e。〃
Then　the　host　brought　forth　wine　and　food　and　served　his　guest。　Moreover；　he　unsaddled　and　fed　his　horse。
In　the　third　watch　a　knocking　came　at　the　door；　and　when　the　old　man　opened　it；　the　visitor　was　no　other　than　Pan　Zhang；　the　General　of　Wu。　He　also　asked　shelter。
As　Pan　Zhang　came　in；　Guan　Xing　recognized　him　and　drew　his　sword；　crying；　〃Stay；　you　ruffian！　Do　not　flee！〃
Pan　Zhang　turned　to　flee。　But　before　he　could　turn；　Guan　Xing　raised　his　sword：　It　fell；　and　Pan　Zhang　lay　dead。　Taking　the　heart…blood　of　his　dead　enemy；　Guan　Xing　poured　it　in　libation　before　the　picture　of　his　father。　After　that　he　took　possession　of　his　father's　green…dragon　saber；　curved　as　the　young　moon。　Having　hacked　off　the　head　of　his　fallen　enemy；　he　fastened　it　to　his　bridle。　Then　he　took　leave　of　his　aged　host；　saddled　his　enemy's　horse；　and　rode　away　toward　his　own　camp。
The　old　man　dragged　the　corpse　of　the　dead　mander　outside　and　burned　it。
Guan　Xing　had　not　gone　very　far　when　he　heard　the　neighing　of　horses　and　soon　met　a　troop　led　by　Ma　Zhong；　one　of　Pan　Zhang's　generals；　who　was　looking　for　his　chief。　Ma　Zhong　fell　into　a　great　rage　when　he　saw　the　head　of　Pan　Zhang　swinging　at　the　neck　of　Guan　Xing's　horse　and　beheld　the　famous　sword　in　his　hand。　Ma　Zhong　galloped　up　furiously；　and　Guan　Xing；　who　recognized　an　enemy　of　his　late　father；　rushed　to　meet　him。　Just　as　he　would　strike；　however；　Ma　Zhong's　three　hundred　troops　galloped　up　to　support　their　general；　and　Guan　Xing　was　surrounded。　He　was　in　dire　danger；　but　just　opportunely　came　up　a　troop　of　horse　led　by　his　cousin　Zhang　Bao。　At　this；　Ma　Zhong；　thinking　discretion　the　better　part；　drew　off　his　army　and　rode　away。
The　two　cousins　pursued　him。　Before　they　had　gone　far；　they　met　another　force　under　Mi　Fang　and　Fu　Shiren；　who　had　e　out　to　seek　Ma　Zhong。　The　two　bodies　of　soldiers　met　and　fought；　but　the　troops　of　Shu　were　too　few　for　victory　and　drew　off。　Thence　they　made　their　way　to　headquarters　in　Xiaoting；　where　they　told　their　adventures　and　presented　the　head　of　Pan　Zhang。　The　First　Ruler　was　very　pleased　and　rewarded　all　armed　forces。
Ma　Zhong　went　back　and　rejoined　Han　Dang　and　Zhou　Tai。　Then　they　collected　their　troops；　many　wounded；　and　stationed　them　in　various　points。
Ma　Zhong；　together　with　Mi　Fang　and　Fu　Shiren；　marched　to　the　river　bank　and　encamped。　The　night　they　arrived；　many　soldiers　were　groaning　with　the　pain　of　their　wounds。
Mi　Fang；　who　was　listening　unknown　to　them；　heard　one　of　them　say；　〃We　are　Jingzhou　soldiers　and　victims　of　Lu　Meng's　vile　machinations。　If　we　had　only　remained　under　Liu　Bei！　Now　he　is　Emperor　and　has　set　out　to　destroy　Wu；　and　he　will　do　it　one　day。　But　he　has　a　special　grudge　against　Mi　Fang　and　Fu　Shiren。　Why　should　we　not　kill　these　two　and　go　over　to　Shu？　They　will　think　we　have　done　well。〃
Another　said；　〃Do　not　be　hasty。　We　will　do　it　presently　when　there　is　a　chance。〃
Mi　Fang　started　as　he　heard　this。　He　told　Fu　Shiren；　saying；　〃The　troops　are　mutinous；　and　we　ourselves　are　in　danger。　Ma　Zhong　is　an　object　of　especial　hatred　to　the　Ruler　of　Shu。　Suppose　we　kill　him　and　surrender。　We　can　say　we　were　pelled　to　give　in　to　Wu；　but　as　soon　as　the　news　of　the　Emperor　came　near；　we　wanted　to　get　back。〃
〃It　will　not　do；〃　said　Fu　Shiren。　〃If　we　go；　they　will　kill　us。〃
〃No；　the　Ruler　of　Shu　is　liberal　and　kind。　And　the　heir；　Liu　Shan；　is　my　nephew。　They　will　surely　not　do　any　harm　to　a　connection。〃
In　the　end　they　decided　to　go。　And　in　the　third　watch　they　made　their　way　into　their　chief's　tent　and　stabbed　him　to　death。　Then　they　cut　off　his　head；　and　with　their　grisly　trophy　and　a　few　dozen　followers　they　set　off　for　the　camp　of　the　Ruler　of　Shu。
They　arrived　at　the　outposts　and　were　taken　to　see　Zhang　Nan　and　Feng　Xi；　to　whom　they　told　their　tale。　Next　day　they　went　into　the　main　camp　and　were　admitted　to　the　presence　of　the　First　Ruler；　to　whom　they　offered　their　trophy。
And　they　threw　themselves　on　the　ground　and　wept；　saying　〃We　are　not　traitors。　We　were　the　victims　of　Lu　Meng's　wickedness。　He　said　that　Guan　Yu　was　dead　and　tricked　us　into　giving　up　the　cities。　We　could　not　help　surrendering。　When　we　heard　the　Sacred　Chariot　had　e；　we　slew　Ma　Zhong　to　satisfy　your　vengeance；　and　we　implore　forgiveness。〃
But　the　First　Ruler　was　angry；　and　said；　〃I　left　Chengdu　a　long　time　ago。　Why　did　you　not　e　to　confess　your　fault　before？　Now　you　find　yourselves　in　danger；　and　so　you　e　with　this　specious　tale　to　try　to　save　your　lives。　If　I　pardon　you；　how　shall　I　look　my　brother　in　the　face