快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！

tood　on　one　side　of　him　bearing　a　treasured　sword　and　on　the　other　a　boy　with　the　ordinary　symbol　of　authority；　a　yak's　tail。　Just　inside　the　gates　a　score　of　persons　with　their　heads　down　were　sweeping　as　if　no　one　was　about。
Sima　Yi　hardly　believed　his　eyes　and　thought　this　meant　some　peculiarly　subtle　ruse。　So　he　went　back　to　his　armies；　faced　them　about　and　moved　toward　the　hills　on　the　north。
〃I　am　certain　there　are　no　soldiers　behind　this　foolery；〃　said　Sima　Zhao。　〃What　do　you　retire　for；　Father？〃
Sima　Yi　replied；　〃Zhuge　Liang　is　always　most　careful　and　runs　no　risks。　Those　open　gates　undoubtedly　mean　an　ambush。　If　our　force　enter　the　city；　they　will　fall　victims　to　his　guile。　How　can　you　know？　No；　our　course　is　to　retire。〃
Thus　were　the　two　armies　turned　back　from　the　city；　much　to　the　joy　of　Zhuge　Liang；　who　laughed　and　clapped　his　hands　as　he　saw　them　hastening　away。
The　officials　gasped　with　astonishment；　and　they　asked；　〃Sima　Yi　is　a　famous　general　of　Wei；　and　he　was　leading　one　hundred　fifty　troops。　By　what　reason　did　he　march　off　at　the　sight　of　you；　O　Prime　Minister？〃
Zhuge　Liang　said；　〃He　knows　my　reputation　for　carefulness　and　that　I　play　not　with　danger。　Seeing　things　as　they　were　made　him　suspect　an　ambush；　and　so　he　turned　away。　I　do　not　run　risks；　but　this　time　there　was　no　help　for　it。　Now　he　will　meet　with　Guan　Xing　and　Zhang　Bao；　whom　I　sent　away　into　the　hills　to　wait　for　him。〃
They　were　still　in　the　grip　of　fear；　but　they　praised　the　depth　of　insight　of　their　chief　and　his　mysterious　schemes　and　unfathomable　plans。
〃We　should　simply　have　run　away；〃　said　they。
〃What　could　we　have　done　with　two　thousand　five　hundred　soldiers　even　if　we　had　run？　We　should　not　have　gone　far　before　being　caught；〃　said　Zhuge　Liang。

Quite　open　lay　the　city　to　the　foe；
But　Zhuge　Liang's　lute　of　jasper　wonders　wrought；
It　turned　aside　the　legions'　onward　march
For　both　the　leaders　guessed　the　other's　thought。

〃But　if　I　had　been　in　Sima　Yi's　place；　I　should　not　have　turned　away；〃　said　Zhuge　Liang；　smiling　and　clapping　his　hands。
He　gave　orders　that　the　people　of　the　place　should　follow　the　army　into　Hanzhong；　for　Sima　Yi　would　assuredly　return。
They　abandoned　Xicheng　and　returned　into　Hanzhong。　In　due　course　the　officials　and　soldiers　and　people　out　of　the　three　counties　also　came　in。
It　has　been　said　that　Sima　Yi　turned　aside　from　the　city。　He　went　to　Wugong　Hills。　Presently　there　came　the　sounds　of　a　Shu　army　from　behind　the　hills。
Sima　Yi　turned　to　his　sons；　saying；　〃If　we　do　not　retire；　we　shall　yet　somehow　fall　victims　to　this　Zhuge　Liang。〃
Then　appeared　a　force　advancing　rapidly；　the　main　banner　displaying　Tiger　General　of　the　Right　Guard；　Zhang　Bao　。　The　soldiers　of　Wei　were　seized　with　sudden　panic　and　ran；　flinging　off　their　armors　and　throwing　away　their　weapons。　But　before　they　had　fled　very　far；　they　heard　other　terrible　sounds　in　the　valley　and　soon　saw　another　force；　with　the　main　banner　Dragon　General　of　the　Left　Guard；　Guan　Xing　。　The　roar　of　armed　troops　echoing　up　and　down　the　valley　was　terrifying。　As　no　one　could　tell　how　many　men　there　were　bearing　down　on　them；　the　panic　increased。　The　Wei　army　abandoned　all　the　baggage　and　took　to　flight。　But　having　orders　not　to　pursue；　Zhang　Bao　and　Guan　Xing　let　their　enemies　run　in　peace；　while　they　gathered　up　the　spoils。　Then　they　returned。
Seeing　the　valley　apparently　full　of　Shu　soldiers；　Sima　Yi　dared　not　marched　by　the　main　road。　He　hurried　back　to　Jieting。
At　this　time　Cao　Zhen；　hearing　that　the　army　of　Shu　was　retreating；　went　in　pursuit。　But　at　a　certain　point　he　encountered　a　strong　force　under　Ma　Dai　and　Jiang　Wei。　Valleys　and　hills　seemed　to　swarm　with　enemies；　and　Cao　Zhen　became　alarmed。　Then　Chen　Zao；　his　Van　Leader；　was　slain　by　Ma　Dai；　and　the　soldiers　were　panic…stricken　and　fled　in　disorder。　And　the　soldiers　of　Shu　were　hastening　night　and　day　along　the　road　into　Hanzhong。
Zhao　Yun　and　Deng　Zhi；　who　had　been　lying　in　ambush　in　Gu　Valley；　heard　that　their　rades　were　retreating。
Then　said　Zhao　Yun；　〃The　army　of　Wei　will　surely　e　to　smite　us　while　we　are　retreating。　Wherefore　let　me　first　take　up　a　position　in　their　rear；　and　then　you　lead　off　your　troops　and　part　of　mine；　showing　my　ensigns。　I　will　follow；　keeping　at　the　same　distance　behind　you；　and　thus　I　shall　be　able　to　protect　the　retreat。〃
Now　Guo　Huai　was　leading　his　army　through　the　Gu　Valley。
He　called　up　his　Van　Leader；　Su　Yong；　and　said　to　him；　〃Zhao　Yun　is　a　warrior　whom　no　one　can　withstand。　You　must　keep　a　most　careful　guard　lest　you　fall　into　some　trap　while　they　are　retreating。〃
Su　Yong　replied；　smiling；　〃If　you　will　help　me；　O　mander；　we　shall　be　able　to　capture　this　Zhao　Yun。〃
So　Su　Yong；　with　three　thousand　troops；　hastened　on　ahead　and　entered　the　valley　in　the　wake　of　the　Shu　army。　He　saw　upon　a　slope　in　the　distance　a　large　red　banner　bearing　the　name　Zhao　Yun　of　Changshan　。　This　frightened　him；　and　he　retired。
But　before　he　had　gone　far　a　great　uproar　arose　about　him；　and　a　mighty　warrior　came　bounding　forth　on　a　swift　steed；　crying；　〃Do　you　recognize　Zhao　Yun？〃
Su　Yong　was　terrified。
〃Whence　came　you？〃　he　cried。　〃Is　there　another　Zhao　Yun　here？〃
But　Su　Yong　could　make　no　stand；　and　soon　fell　victim　to　the　spear　of　the　veteran。　His　troops　scattered；　and　Zhao　Yun　marched　on　after　the　main　body。
But　soon　another　pany　came　in　pursuit；　this　time　led　by　a　general　of　Guo　Huai；　named　Wan　Zheng。　As　they　came　along　Zhao　Yun　halted　in　the　middle　of　the　road　to　wait　for　the　enemy。　By　the　time　Wan　Zheng　had　e　close；　the　other　Shu　soldiers　had　gone　about　ten　miles　along　the　road。　However；　when　Wan　Zheng　drew　nearer　still　and　saw　who　it　was　standing　in　his　path；　he　hesitated　and　finally　halted。　Zhao　Yun　guarded　the　road　until　the　sunset；　when　he　he　turned　back　and　retired　slowly。
Guo　Huai　and　his　army　came　up　and　met　Wan　Zheng；　who　said；　〃Zhao　Yun　is　as　terrible　as　ever。　He　guards　the　rear　carefully；　and　I　dare　not　be　reckless。〃
However；　Guo　Huai　was　not　content　and　ordered　Wan　Zheng　to　return　to　the　pursuit　of　the　retreating　army。　This　time　Wan　Zheng　led　a　pany　of　several　hundred　horsemen。
Presently　they　came　to　a　wood；　and；　as　they　entered；　a　loud　shout　arose　in　the　rear；　〃Zhao　Yun　is　here！〃
Terror　seized　upon　the　pursuers；　and　many　fell　from　their　horses。　The　others　scattered　among　the　hills。　Wan　Zheng　braced　himself　for　the　encounter　and　went　on。　Zhao　Yun　shot　an　arrow　which　struck　the　plume　on　his　helmet。　Startled；　Wan　Zheng　tumbled　into　a　water　stream。
Then　Zhao　Yun　pointed　his　spear　at　him　and　said；　〃Be　off！　I　will　not　kill　you。　Go　and　tell　Guo　Huai　to　e　quickly；　if　he　is　ing。〃
Wan　Zheng　fled　for　his　life；　while　Zhao　Yun　continued　his　march　as　rear　guard；　and　the　retreat　into　Hanzhong　steadily　continued。　There　were　no　other　episodes　by　the　way。
Cao　Zhen　and　Guo　Huai　took　to　themselves　all　the　credit　of　having　recovered　the　three　counties………Nanan；　Tianshui；　and　Anding。
Before　the　cautious　Sima　Yi　was　ready　to　pursue　the　army　of　Shu；　it　had　already　reached　Hanzhong。　He　took　a　troop　of　horse　and　rode　to　Xicheng　and　there　heard　from　the　few　people　who　had　formerly　sought　refuge　in　the　hills；　and　now　returned；　that　Zhuge　Liang　really　had　had　no　men　in　the　city；　with　the　exception　of　the　two　thousand　five　hundred　soldiers；　that　he　had　not　a　single　military　mander；　but　only　a　few　civil　officers。　Sima　Yi　also　heard　that　Guan　Xing　and　Zhang　Bao　had　had　only　a　few　troops　whom　they　led　about　among　the　hills　making　as　much　noise　as　they　could。
Sima　Yi　felt　sad　at　having　been　tricked。
〃Zhuge　Liang　is　a　cleverer　man　than　I　am；〃　said　he　with　a　sigh　of　resignation。
He　set　about　restoring　order；　and　presently　marched　back　to　Changan。
He　saw　the　Ruler　of　Wei；　who　was　pleased　with　his　success　and　said；　〃It　is　by　your　good　service　that　all　counties　of　West　Valley　Land　is　again　mine。〃
Sima　Yi　replied；　〃But　the　army　of　Shu　is　in　Hanzhong　undestroyed。　Therefore；　I　pray　for　authority　to　go　against　them　that　you　may　recover　the　West　River　Land　also。〃
Cao　Rui　rejoiced　and　approved；　and　authorized　the　raising　of　an　army。
But　then　one　of　the　courtiers　suddenly　said；　〃Your　servant　can　propose　a　plan　by　which　Shu　will　be　overe　and　Wu　submits。〃

The　generals　lead　their　beaten　soldiers　home；
The　victors　plan　new　deeds　for　days　to　e。

Who　offered　this　plan？　Succeeding　chapters　will　tell。
　Main　Next　to　Chapter　96　》》

　　　Romance　of　Three　Kingdoms　…　by　Luo　Guanzhong　…　Chapter　96
　Chapter　96
Shedding　Tears；　Zhuge　Liang　Puts　Ma　Su　To　Death；
Cutting　Hair；　Zhou　Fang　Beguiles　Cao　Xiu。
The　proposer　of　the　great　plan　that　was　to　conquer　the　empire　was　the　Chair　of　the　Secretariat；　named　Sun　Zu。
〃Noble　Sir；　expound　your　excellent　scheme；〃　said　the　Ruler　of　Wei。
And　Sun　Zu　said；　〃When　your　great　progenitor；　Emperor　Cao；　first　got　Zhang　Lu；　he　was　at　a　critical　stage　in　his　career；　but　thenceforward　all　went　well。　He　used　to　say　the　land　of　Nanzheng　is　really　a　natural　hell。　In　the　Xie　Valley　there　are　one　hundred　fifty　miles　of　rocks　and　caves；　so　that　it　is　an　impossible　country　for　an　army。　If　Wei　be　denuded　of　soldiers　in　order　to　conquer　Shu；　then　for　sure　we　shall　be　invaded　by　Wu　on　the　east。　My　advice　is　to　divide　the　army　among　the　various　generals　and　appoint　each　a　place　of　strategic　value　to　hold；　and　let　them　train　their　forces。　In　a　few　years　the　Middle　Land　will　be　prosperous　and　wealthy；　while　the　other　two　Shu　and　Wu；　will　have　been　reduced　by　mutual　quarrels　and　will　fall　an　easy　prey。　I　hope　Your　Majesty　will　consider　whether　this　is　not　a　superior　plan。〃
〃What　does　the　General　think？〃　said　Cao　Rui　to　Sima　Yi。
He　replied；　〃Chairman　Sun　Zu　says　well。〃
So　Cao　Rui　bade　Sima　Yi　draw　up　a　scheme　of　defense　and　station　the　soldiers；　leaving　Guo　Huai　and　Zhang　He　to　guard　Changan。　And　having　rewarded　the　army；　the　Ruler　of　Wei　returned　to　Luoyang。
When　Zhuge　Liang　got　back　to　Hanzhong　and　missed　Zhao　Yun　and　Deng　Zhi；　the　only　two　generals　who　had　not　arrived；　he　was　sad　at　heart　and　bade　Guan　Xing　and　Zhang　Bao　go　back　to　afford　them　assistance。　However；　before　the　reinforcing　parties　could　leave；　the　missing　men　arrived。　Furthermore；　they　came　with　their　army　in　excellent　condition　and　not　a　man　short；　nor　a　horse　nor　any　of　their　equipment。
As　they　drew　near；　Zhuge　Liang　went　out　of　the　city　to　wele　them。
Thereupon　Zhao　Yun　hastily　dismounted　and　bowed　to　the　earth；　saying；　〃The　Prime　Minister　should　not　have　e　forth　to　wele　a　defeated　general。〃
But　Zhuge　Liang　lifted　him　up　and　took　his　hand　and　said；　〃Mine　was　the　fault。　Mine　were　the　ignorance　and　unwisdom　that　caused　all　this。　But　how　is　it　that　amid　all　the　defeat　and　loss　you　have　e　through　unscathed？〃
And　Deng　Zhi　replied；　〃It　was　because　friend　Zhao　Yun　sent　me　ahead；　while　he　guarded　the　rear　and　warded　off　every　attack。　One　leader　he　slew；　and　this　frightened　the　others。　Thus　nothing　was　lost　or　left　by　the　way。〃
〃A　really　great　general！〃　said　Zhuge　Liang。
He　sent　Zhao　Yun　a　gift　of　fifty　ounces　of　gold；　and　to　his　army　ten　thousand　rolls　of　silk。
But　these　were　returned　as　Zhao　Yun　said；　〃All　armies　have　acplished　nothing；　and　that　is　also　our　fault。　The　rules　for　reward　and　punishment　must　be　strictly　kept。　I　pray　that　these　things　be　kept　in　store　till　the　winter；　when　they　can　be　distributed　among　the　army。〃
〃When　the　First　Ruler　lived；　he　never　tired　of　extolling　Zhao　Yun's　virtues。　The　First　Ruler　was　perfectly　right；〃　said　Zhuge　Liang。
And　his　respect　for　the　veteran　was　doubled。
Then　came　the　turn　of　the　four　unfortunate　leaders　Ma　Su；　Wang　Ping；　Wei　Yan；　and　Gao　Xiang　to　render　account。　Wang　Ping　was　called　to　the　mander…in…Chief's　tent　and　rebuked。
〃I　ordered　you　and　Ma　Su　to　guard　Jieting。　Why　did　you　not　remonstrate　with　him　and　prevent　this　great　loss？〃
〃I　did　remonstrate　many　times。　I　wished　to　build　a　rampart　down　in　the　road　and　construct　a　solid　camp；　but　the　Counselor　would　not　agree　and　showed　ill　temper。　So　I　led　five　thousand　troops　and　camped　some　three　miles　off。　When　the　army　of　Wei　came　in　crowds　and　surrounded　my　colleague；　I　led　my　army　to　attack　them　a　score　of　times。　But　I　could　not　penetrate；　and　the　catastrophe　came　quickly。　Many　of　our　troops　surrendered；　and　mine　were　too　few　to　stand。　Wherefore　I　went　to　friend　Wei　Yan　for　help。　Then　we　were　intercepted　and　imprisoned