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eng　Huo　declared　peace；　the　joy　spread　to　all　ravines　and　villages。　And　the　people　sent　gifts　of　jewels；　cinnabar；　lacquer；　medicines；　plowing　cattle；　and　chargers　for　the　use　of　the　army。　And　they　pledged　themselves　not　to　rebel。
When　the　feastings　to　the　soldiers　were　finished；　the　army　marched　homeward　to　Shu。　Wei　Yan　was　in　mand　of　the　advanced　column。　He　marched　to　the　River　Lu。　But　on　his　arrival　the　clouds　gathered　and　a　gale　blew　over　the　face　of　the　waters。　Because　of　the　force　of　the　gale；　the　army　could　not　advance。　Wei　Yan　then　returned　and　reported　the　matter　to　his　chief。　Zhuge　Liang　called　in　Meng　Huo　to　ask　what　this　might　mean。

The　Mangs　beyond　the　border　have　yielded　now　at　last；
The　water　demons　raging　mad　won't　let　the　Shu　men　go　past。

The　next　chapter　will　contain　Meng　Huo's　explanation。
　Main　Next　to　Chapter　91　》》

　　　Romance　of　Three　Kingdoms　…　by　Luo　Guanzhong　…　Chapter　91
　Chapter　91
Sacrificing　At　River　Lu；　The　Prime　Minister　Marches　Homeward；
Attacking　Wei；　The　Lord　Of　Wuxiang　Presents　A　Memorial。
Meng　Huo　at　the　head　of　the　Mang　Chieftains　and　Notables　attended　to　do　honor　to　the　army　of　Shu　on　its　departure。　They　reached　the　River　Lu　in　autumn；　the　ninth　month。　But　on　trying　to　cross　the　river；　a　tremendous　storm　came　and　hindered　them。　Wei　Yan　having　reported　his　difficulty　to　Zhuge　Liang；　Meng　Huo　was　asked　if　he　knew　of　any　reason　for　such　a　storm。
Meng　Huo　replied；　〃Wild　spirits　have　always　troubled　those　who　would　cross　this　river。　It　is　necessary　to　propitiate　them　with　sacrifices。〃
〃What　is　the　sacrifice？〃　asked　Zhuge　Liang。
〃In　the　old　days　when　malicious　spirits　brought　misfortune；　they　sacrificed　humans　to　the　number　of　seven　sevens　and　offered　their　forty…nine　heads。　They　also　slew　a　black　ox　and　a　white　goat。　Sacrifice　thus；　the　wind　will　subside　and　the　waters　e　to　rest。　The　same　used　to　be　done　to　secure　a　plenteous　harvest。〃
〃How　can　I　slay　a　single　person　now　that　fighting　is　done　and　peace　has　returned？〃　said　Zhuge　Liang。
Zhuge　Liang　went　down　to　the　river　to　see　for　himself。　The　north　wind　was　blowing　hard；　and　the　waves　were　high。　Both　humans　and　horses　seemed　frightened。　He　himself　was　perplexed。　Then　he　sought　out　some　of　the　natives　and　questioned　them。
They　said；　〃We　have　heard　the　demons　moaning　every　night　since　your　army　crossed　the　river。　The　cries　begin　at　dusk　and　continued　till　dawn。　There　are　many　dark　demons　in　the　malarial　vapors；　and　no　one　dared　cross。〃
〃The　sin　is　mine；〃　sighed　Zhuge　Liang；　〃for　more　than　a　thousand　soldiers　of　Ma　Dai　perished　in　these　waters　beside　many　southern　people。　Their　poor　distressed　souls　are　not　yet　freed。　Therefore　I　will　e　this　night　and　sacrifice　to　them。〃
〃According　to　the　ancient　rule　the　number　of　victims　ought　to　be　forty…nine。　Then　the　spirits　will　disperse；〃　said　the　natives。
〃As　the　resentful　demons　are　here　because　of　the　deaths　of　people；　where　is　the　sense　in　slaying　more　humans？　But　I　know　what　to　do。〃
Zhuge　Liang　bade　them　make　balls　of　flour　paste　after　the　manner　of　human　heads　and　stuff　them　with　the　flesh　of　oxen　and　goats。　These　would　be　used　instead　of　human　heads；　and　they　called　these　'mantou'　or　'human　heads'。
By　nightfall；　an　altar　had　been　set　up　on　the　bank　of　the　river　with　the　sacrificial　objects　all　arranged。　There　were　also　forty…nine　lamps。　Flags　were　flying　to　summon　the　souls。　The　forty…nine　mantous　were　piled　up　on　the　ground。　In　the　middle　of　the　third　watch；　at　midnight；　Zhuge　Liang；　dressed　in　Taoist　garb；　went　to　offer　the　sacrifice　in　person；　and　he　bade　Dong　Jue　read　this　prayer：
〃On　the　first　day　of　the　ninth　month　of　the　third　year　of　the　era　Beginning　Prosperity　of　the　Han　Dynasty；　I；　Zhuge　Liang；　Prime　Minister　of　Han；　Lord　of　Wuxiang；　Imperial　Protector　of　Yizhou；　reverently　order　this　sacrifice　to　appease　the　shades　of　those　soldiers　of　Shu　who　have　died　in　their　country's　service　and　those　of　the　southern　people　who　have　perished。

＇e＇　Five　Feudatories：　Duke　Huan　of　Qi；　Duke　Wen　of　Jin；　Duke　Xiang　of　Song；　Duke　Mu　of　Qin；　and　King　Chang　of　Chu。
＇e＇　King　Yu；　founder　of　Xia；　King　Tang；　founder　of　Shang；　King　Wen；　founder　of　Zhou。
＇e＇　Nine　Regions　symbolized　all　the　lands　of　the　empire。　Ancient　China　was　divided　into　nine　regions。　But　over　the　time；　more　regions　were　created。　During　the　Three　Kingdoms　period；　there　were　already　more　than　nine　regions。
〃I　now　declare　to　you；　O　ye　shades；　the　majesty　of　my　master；　the　Emperor　of　the　mighty　Han　Dynasty；　excelling　that　of　the　Five　Feudatories*　and　brilliantly　continuing　the　glory　of　the　Three　Dynastic　Kings*。　Recently；　when　the　distant　south　rebelliously　invaded　his　territory；　contumeliously　sent　an　army；　loosed　the　venom　of　their　sorcery；　and　gave　free　rein　to　their　savagery　in　rebellion；　I　was　manded　to　punish　their　crimes。　Wherefore　my　brave　armies　marched　and　utterly　destroyed　the　contemptible　rebels。　My　brave　soldiers　gathered　like　the　clouds；　and　the　insensate　rebels　melted　away。　Hearing　of　the　easy　successes　I　won；　they　were　entirely　demoralized。
〃My　army　consists　of　heroes　from　the　Nine　Regions*；　and　officers　and　people　are　famous　in　the　empire；　all　are　expert　in　war　and　skilled　in　the　use　of　arms。　They　go　whither　light　leads　them　and　serve　the　Emperor。　All　have　exerted　themselves　to　obey　orders　and　carried　out　the　plans　for　the　seven　captures　of　Meng　Huo。　They　were　whole…hearted　in　their　service　and　vied　in　loyalty。　Who　could　foresee　that　you；　O　Spirits；　would　be　sacrificed　in　the　strategy　and　be　involved　in　the　enemies'　wicked　wiles？　Some　of　you　went　down　to　the　deep　springs　wounded　by　flying　arrows。　Others　went　out　into　the　long　night　hurt　by　lethal　weapons。　Living　you　were　valorous；　dead　you　left　behind　a　name。
〃Now　we　are　returning　home。　The　victors'　song　is　in　our　mouths　and　our　prisoners　acpany　us。　Your　spirits　are　with　us　still　and　certainly　hear　our　prayers。　Follow　the　banners；　e　with　the　host；　return　to　your　country；　each　to　his　own　village；　where　you　may　enjoy　the　savor　of　the　meat　offerings　and　receive　the　sacrifices　of　your　own　families。　Do　not　bee　wandering　ghosts　in　unfamiliar　hamlets　of　restless　shades　in　strange　cities。　I　will　memorialize　our　Emperor　that　your　wives　and　little　ones　may　enjoy　his　gracious　bounty；　every　year　gifts　of　food　and　clothing；　every　month　donations　for　sustenance。　fort　yourselves　with　this　provision。
〃As　for　you；　Spirits　of　this　place；　shades　of　the　departed　people　of　the　south；　here　is　the　usual　sacrifice。　You　are　near　home。　Year…round　sacrifice　is　not　lacking。　Living　you　stood　in　awe　of　the　celestial　majesty；　dead　you　e　within　the　sphere　of　refining　influence。　It　is　right　that　you　should　hold　your　peace　and　refrain　from　uttering　unseemly　cries。　With　bowed　head　I　pray　you　partake　of　the　sweet　savor　of　this　sacrifice。
〃Alas；　ye　dead！　To　you　this　offering！〃
Zhuge　Liang　broke　into　loud　lamentations　at　the　end　of　this　prayer　and　manifested　extreme　emotion；　and　the　whole　army　shed　tears。　Meng　Huo　and　his　followers　also　moaned　and　wept；　and　amid　the　sad　clouds　and　angry　mists　they　saw　the　vague　forms　of　many　demons　floating　away　on　the　wind　till　they　disappeared。
The　material　portion　of　the　sacrifice　was　then　thrown　into　the　river。　Next　day　the　army　stood　on　the　south　bank　with　a　clear　sky　over　their　heads　and　calm　waters　at　their　feet；　the　clouds　gone　and　the　winds　hushed；　and　the　crossing　was　made　without　misadventure。　They　continued　their　way；　whips　cracking；　gongs　clanging；　spurs　jingling；　and　ever　and　anon　the　song　of　victory　rising　over　all。
Passing　through　Yongchang；　Wang　Kang　and　Lu　Kai　were　left　there　in　mand　of　the　four　territories………Yizhou；　Yongchang；　Zangge；　and　Yuesui。　And　then　Meng　Huo　was　permitted　to　leave。　He　was　ordered　to　be　diligent　in　his　administration；　maintain　good　control；　and　soothe　and　care　for　the　people　left　to　him　to　govern　and　to　see　to　it　that　agriculture　was　promoted。　He　took　leave　with　tears　rolling　down　his　cheeks。
When　the　army　neared　Capital　Chengdu；　the　Latter　Ruler　came　out　ten　miles　in　state　to　wele　his　victorious　minister。　The　Emperor　stood　by　the　roadside　as　Zhuge　Liang　came　up；　and　waited。
Zhuge　Liang　quickly　descended　from　his　chariot；　prostrated　himself　and　said；　〃Thy　servant　has　offended　in　causing　his　master　anxiety。　But　the　conquest　of　the　south　was　long。〃
The　Emperor　took　Zhuge　Liang　kindly　by　the　hand　and　raised　him。　Then　the　chariots　of　the　Son　of　God　and　his　minister　returned　to　Chengdu　side　by　side。　In　the　capital　were　great　rejoicings　with　banquets　and　rewards　for　the　army。　Henceforward　distant　nations　sent　tribute　to　the　Imperial　Court　to　the　number　of　two　hundred。
As　proposed　in　a　memorial；　the　Emperor　provided　for　the　families　of　the　soldiers　who　had　lost　their　lives　in　the　expedition；　and　they　were　made　happy。　And　the　whole　land　enjoyed　tranquillity。

＇e＇　Lady　Zhen；　a　famous　lady　in　the　North　of　Yellow　River　（Hebei）；　wife　to　Yuan　Xi；　son　of　Yuan　Shao。　When　Yuan　Shao　was　defeated　by　Cao　Cao；　both　Cao　Cao's　sons　Cao　Pi　and　Cao　Zhi　claimed　her；　not　to　mention　Cao　Cao　himself。　Cao　Pi　eventually　won　her　hand；　wedded　her；　and　made　her　an　empress。　She　later　became　the　Goddess　of　River　Luo；　according　to　folktales。　。。。。。
Meanwhile　in　the　Middle　Land；　the　Ruler　of　Wei；　Cao　Pi；　had　now　ruled　seven　years；　and　it　was　the　fourth　year　of　Beginning　Prosperity　in　Shu…Han　calendar。　Cao　Pi　had　taken　to　wife　a　lady　of　the　Zhen　family；　formerly　the　wife　of　the　second　son　of　Yuan　Shao。　He　had　discovered　Lady　Zhen*　at　the　sack　of　Yejun　and　had　married　her。　She　bore　him　a　son；　Cao　Rui；　who　was　very　clever　and　a　great　favorite　with　his　father。
Later　Cao　Pi　took　as　Beloved　Consort　a　daughter　of　Guo　Yong　in　Guangzong。　Lady　Guo　was　a　woman　of　exceeding　beauty；　whom　her　father　said；　〃She　is　the　king　among　women！〃　And　the　name　〃Lady　King〃　stuck　to　her。
But　with　Lady　Guo's　arrival　at　court；　Lady　Zhen　fell　from　her　lord's　favor；　and　the　Beloved　Consort's　ambition　led　her　to　intrigue　to　replace　the　Empress。　She　took　Zhang　Tao；　a　minister　at　the　court；　into　her　confidence。
At　that　time　the　Emperor　was　indisposed；　and　Zhang　Tao　alleged；　saying；　〃In　the　palace　of　the　Empress　has　been　dug　up　a　wooden　image　with　Your　Majesty's　date　of　birth　written　thereon。　It　is　meant　to　exercise　a　maleficent　influence。〃
Cao　Pi　in　his　anger　forced　his　Empress　to　mit　suicide；　and　he　set　up　the　Beloved　Consort　in　her　place。
But　Lady　Guo　had　no　issue。　Wherefore　she　nourished　Cao　Rui　as　her　own。　However；　loved　as　Cao　Rui　was；　he　was　not　then　named　heir　by　the　Empress。
When　he　was　about　fifteen；　Cao　Rui；　who　was　an　expert　archer　and　a　daring　rider；　acpanied　his　father　to　the　hunt。　In　a　gully　they　started　a　doe　and　its　fawn。　Cao　Pi　shot　the　doe；　while　the　fawn　fled。　Seeing　that　the　fawn's　course　led　past　his　son's　horse；　Cao　Pi　called　out　to　him　to　shoot　it。　Instead　the　youth　bursts　into　tears。
〃Your　Majesty　has　slain　the　mother。　How　can　one　kill　the　child　as　well？〃
The　words　struck　the　Emperor　with　remorse。　He　threw　aside　his　bow；　saying；　〃My　son；　you　would　make　a　benevolent　and　virtuous　ruler。〃
From　this　circumstance　Cao　Pi　decided　that　Cao　Rui　should　succeed；　and　conferred　upon　him　the　princedom　of　Pingyuan。
In　the　fifth　month　the　Emperor　fell　ill；　and　medical　treatment　was　of　no　avail。　So　the　chief　officers　were　summoned　to　the　bedside　of　the　Emperor。　They　were　mander　of　the　Center　Army　Cao　Zhen；　General　Who　Guards　the　West　Chen　Qun；　and　Grand　mander　Sima　Yi。
When　they　had　e；　the　Emperor's　son　was　called；　and　the　dying　Emperor　spoke　thus：　〃I　am　grievously　ill；　and　my　end　is　near。　I　confide　to　your　care　and　guidance　this　son　of　mine。　You　must　support　him　out　of　good　feeling　for　me。〃
〃Why　does　Your　Majesty　talk　thus？〃　said　they。　〃We　will　do　our　utmost　to　serve　you　for　a　thousand　autumns　and　a　myriad　years。〃
〃No；　I　know　that　I　am　about　to　die；〃　said　the　Emperor。　〃The　sudden　fall　of　the　gates　of　Xuchang　this　year　was　the　omen；　as　I　well　knew。〃
Just　then　the　attendants　said　that　General　Who　Conquers　the　East　Cao　Xiu　had　e　to　ask　after　the　Emperor's　health。　They　were　told　to　call　Cao　Xiu　into　the　chamber。
When　he　had　entered；　Cao　Pi　said　to　him；　〃You　and　these　three　are　the　pillars　and　cornerstones　of　the　state。　If　you　will　only　uphold　my　son；　I　can　close　my　eyes　in　peace。〃
These　were　his　last　words。　A　flood　of　tears　gushed　forth；　and　Cao　Pi　sank　back　on　the　couch　dead