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weeping；　and　they　two　sat　down。
〃I　was　weeping　from　regret　at　being　unable　to　continue　my　father's　work；〃　said　Sun　Ce。
〃Why　stay　here　bound　to　the　service　of　a　master？　The　Governor　of　Dangyang　is　in　distress。　Why　not　get　mand　of　an　army　under　the　pretense　of　an　expedition　to　relieve　Wu　Jing？　Escape　the　shadow　of　Yuan　Shu　and　take　control　of　Dangyang；　then　you　can　acplish　great　things。〃
While　these　two　were　talking；　another　man　suddenly　entered；　saying；　〃I　know　what　you　two　are　planning；　Noble　Sirs。　Under　my　hand　is　a　band　of　one　hundred　bold　fellows　ready　to　help　Sun　Ce　in　whatever　he　wishes　to　do。〃
The　speaker　was　one　of　Yuan　Shu's　advisers　named　Lu　Fan；　from　Runan。　They　three　then　sat　and　discussed　schemes。
〃The　one　fear　is　that　Yuan　Shu　will　refuse　to　give　you　the　troops；〃　said　Lu　Fan。
〃I　still　have　the　Imperial　Hereditary　Seal　that　my　father　left　me：　That　should　be　good　security。〃
〃Yuan　Shu　earnestly　desires　that　jewel；〃　said　Zhu　Zhi。　〃He　will　certainly　lend　you　troops　on　that　pledge。〃
The　three　talked　over　their　plans；　gradually　settling　the　details；　and　not　many　days　after　Sun　Ce　obtained　an　interview　with　his　patron。
Assuming　the　appearance　of　deep　grief　Sun　Ce　said；　〃I　have　been　unable　to　avenge　my　father。　Now　the　Imperial　Protector　of　Yangzhou；　Liu　Yao；　is　opposing　my　mother's　brother；　and　my　mother　and　her　family　are　in　danger　in　Que。　Wherefore　I　would　borrow　a　few　thousands　of　fighting　men　to　rescue　them。　As　perhaps；　Illustrious　Sir；　you　may　lack　confidence　in　me；　I　am　willing　to　deposit　the　Imperial　Hereditary　Seal；　left　me　by　my　late　father；　as　a　pledge。〃
〃Let　me　see　it　if　you　have　it；〃　said　Yuan　Shu。　〃I　do　not　want　the　jewel　really；　but　you　may　as　well　leave　it　with　me。　I　will　lend　you　three　thousand　troops　and　five　hundred　horses。　Return　as　soon　as　peace　can　be　made。　As　your　rank　is　hardly　sufficient　for　such　powers；　I　will　memorialize　to　obtain　for　you　higher　rank　with　the　title　of　General　Who　Exterminates　Brigands；　and　you　can　soon　start。〃
Sun　Ce　thanked　his　patron　most　humbly　and　soon　put　the　army　in　motion；　taking　with　him　his　two　new　advisers　and　his　father's　generals………Zhu　Zhi；　Lu　Fan；　Cheng　Pu；　Huang　Gai；　Han　Dang；　and　others。
When　Sun　Ce　reached　Linyang；　he　saw　a　body　of　troops　in　front　of　him；　at　their　head　a　dashing　leader　of　handsome　and　refined　mien。　As　soon　as　this　mander　saw　Sun　Ce；　he　dismounted　and　made　obeisance。　It　was　Zhou　Yu　from　Shucheng。
When　Sun　Jian　was　opposing　the　tyrant　Dong　Zhuo；　he　moved　his　family　to　Shucheng　where　the　Zhou　family　had　lived。　And　as　Zhou　Yu　and　Sun　Ce　were　of　the　same　age　all　but　two　months；　they　became　exceedingly　good　friends　and　sworn　brothers；　Sun　Ce　being　the　elder　in　virtue　of　his　two　months'　seniority。　Zhou　Yu　was　on　his　way　to　visit　Sun　Ce's　uncle；　Governor　Wu　Jing　of　Dangyang；　when　the　happy　meeting　took　place。
Naturally　Sun　Ce　confided　his　projects　and　inmost　ideas　to　his　friend；　who　at　once　said；　〃I　shall　put　my　whole　life　and　energy　to　serve　you　to　reach　that　grand　goal。〃
〃Now　that　you　have　e；　the　design　is　as　good　as　acplished；〃　said　Sun　Ce。
Zhou　Yu　was　introduced　to　Zhu　Zhi　and　Lu　Fan。
Zhou　Yu　said；　〃Do　you　know　of　the　two　Zhangs　of　Guangling？　They　would　be　most　useful　people　in　working　out　your　schemes。〃
〃Who　are　they；　the　two　Zhangs？〃　said　Sun　Ce。
〃They　are　men　of　transcendent　genius　who　are　living　near　here　for　the　sake　of　tranquillity　in　these　turbulent　times。　Their　names　are　Zhang　Zhao　and　Zhang　Hong。　Why　not　invite　them　to　help　you；　brother？〃
Sun　Ce　lost　no　time　in　sending　letters　and　gifts；　but　they　both　declined。　Then　he　visited　them　in　person；　was　greatly　pleased　with　their　speech　and　by　dint　of　large　gifts　and　much　persuasion；　got　them　to　promise　to　join　him。　Sun　Ce　appointed　them　both　Counselors　and　Generals。
The　plan　of　the　attack　upon　Yangzhou　Region　was　the　next　matter　for　discussion。　The　Imperial　Protector；　Liu　Yao；　was　of　Donglai；　a　scion　of　the　imperial　family　and　brother　of　the　Imperial　Protector　of　Yanzhou；　Liu　Dai。　Liu　Yao　had　long　ruled　in　Yangzhou　and　headquartered　in　Shouchun。　But　Yuan　Shu　had　forced　him　to　flee　to　the　southeast　of　the　Great　River。　He　retired　to　Que　and　now　was　battling　with　Wu　Jing　in　Linyang。
Hearing　of　the　meditated　attack　on　him；　Liu　Yao　summoned　his　generals　to　take　counsel。
Said　General　Zhang　Ying；　〃I　will　take　an　army　and　entrench　at　Niuzhu。　No　army　can　get　past　that；　whatever　its　strength。〃
Zhang　Ying　was　interrupted　by　another　who　shouted；　〃And　let　me　lead　the　van！〃
All　eyes　turned　to　this　man。　It　was　Taishi　Ci　who；　after　helping　Kong　Rong　raise　the　siege　of　Beihai；　had　e　to　serve　Liu　Yao。
Hearing　him　offer　to　undertake　the　hazardous　post　of　van　leader；　Liu　Yao　said；　〃But　you　are　still　young　and　not　yet　equal　to　such　a　charge。　Rather　stay　by　my　side　and　await　my　orders。〃
Taishi　Ci　withdrew　in　disappointment。
Soon　Zhang　Ying　led　his　army　to　Niuzhu；　where　the　stores　of　grain　located。　When　Sun　Ce　approached；　Zhang　Ying　went　to　meet　him；　and　the　two　armies　faced　each　other　above　the　Bullock　Rapid。　Zhang　Ying　roundly　abused　his　opponent；　and　Huang　Gai　rode　out　to　attack　him。　But　before　the　bat　had　proceeded　far；　there　arose　an　alarm　of　fire　in　Zhang　Ying's　camp。　Zhang　Ying　turned　back；　and　then　Sun　Ce　advanced　in　full　force；　pelling　the　enemy　to　abandon　their　possession。　The　defeated　general　fled　to　the　hills。
Now　the　incendiaries　who　had　brought　about　this　result　were　two；　named　Jiang　Qin　from　Shouchun　and　Zhou　Tai　from　Jiujiang；　who　in　these　turbulent　times　had　got　together　a　band　of　kindred　spirits　and　lived　by　plundering　the　country　along　the　Great　River。　They　knew　Sun　Ce　by　reputation　as　a　man　who　treated　able　people　very　liberally　and　wished　to　join　him。　So　they　came　with　their　band；　three　hundred　strong；　and　helped　him　in　this　way　as　an　introduction。　Sun　Ce　weled　them　and　gave　the　leaders　rank。　After　taking　possession　of　the　stores　of　all　kinds　abandoned　by　the　runaways；　and　enlisting　four　thousand　of　those　who　surrendered　into　his　own　ranks；　Sun　Ce　moved　forward　to　attack　Shenting。
After　his　defeat　Zhang　Ying　returned　to　his　master　and　told　his　misfortune。　Liu　Yao　was　going　to　punish　his　failure　by　death；　but　listened　to　his　advisers；　who　asked　for　mercy　for　the　unfortunate　man；　and　sent　him　to　mand　the　garrison　in　Lingling。　Liu　Yao　himself　set　out　to　meet　the　invaders。　He　camped　south　of　the　Sacred　Hills。　Sun　Ce　camped　on　the　opposite　side　of　the　hills。
Sun　Ce　inquired　the　natives；　〃Is　there　a　temple　of　Liu　Xiu　the　Founder　of　Latter　Hans　in　the　vicinity？〃
They　said；　〃There　is　a　temple　to　the　south　on　the　summit　of　the　hills。〃
〃I　dreamed　last　night　that　Liu　Xiu　called　me；　so　I　will　go　and　pray　there；〃　said　Sun　Ce。
But　Counselor　Zhang　Zhao　advised；　〃My　lord；　you　should　not　go　as　the　enemy　is　on　the　other　side；　and　you　may　fall　into　an　ambush。〃
〃The　spirit　will　help　me：　What　need　I　fear？〃
So　Sun　Ce　put　on　his　armor；　took　his　spear　and　mounted；　taking　with　him　twelve　of　his　manders　as　an　escort。　They　rode　up　the　hills；　dismounted；　burned　incense；　and　they　all　bowed　in　the　shrine。
Then　Sun　Ce　knelt　and　made　a　vow；　saying；　〃If　I；　Sun　Ce；　succeed　in　my　task　and　restore　the　authority　of　my　late　father；　then　will　I　restore　this　temple　and　order　sacrifices　at　the　four　seasons。〃
When　they　had　remounted；　Sun　Ce　said；　〃I　am　going　to　ride　along　the　ridge　and　reconnoiter　the　enemy's　position。〃
His　manders　begged　him　to　refrain；　but　he　was　obstinate；　and　they　rode　there　together；　noting　the　villages　below。
A　soldier　of　the　other　side　going　along　a　bye　road　quickly　reported　the　presence　of　horsemen　on　the　ridge；　and　Liu　Yao　said；　〃It　is　certainly　Sun　Ce　trying　to　inveigle　us　to　battle。　But　do　not　go　out。〃
Taishi　Ci　jumped　up；　saying；　〃What　better　chance　to　capture　him？〃
So；　without　orders　he　armed　himself　and　rode　through　the　camp；　crying；　〃If　there　be　any　valiant　men　among　you；　follow　me！〃
No　one　moved　save　a　subaltern　who　said；　〃He　is　a　brave　man；　and　I　will　go　with　him。〃
So　he　also　went。　The　others　only　laughed　at　the　pair。
Now　having　seen　all　he　wished；　Sun　Ce　thought　it　time　to　return　and　wheeled　round　his　horse。　But　when　he　was　going　over　the　summit；　someone　shouted；　〃Stay；　Sun　Ce！〃
Sun　Ce　turned。　Two　horsemen　were　ing　at　full　speed　down　the　next　hill。　Sun　Ce　halted　and　drew　up　his　little　escort　right　and　left；　he　himself　with　his　spear　ready。
〃Which　is　Sun　Ce？〃　shouted　Taishi　Ci。
〃Who　are　you？〃　was　the　reply。
〃I；　Taishi　Ci　of　Laihuang；　e　to　take　him　prisoner。〃
〃Then　I　am　he；〃　said　Sun　Ce；　laughing。　〃e　both　of　you　together。　I　am　not　afraid　of　you。　If　I　were；　I　should　not　be　Sun　Ce！〃
〃You　and　all　your　crowd　e　on；　and　I　will　not　blench！〃　cried　Taishi　Ci　putting　his　horse　at　a　gallop　and　setting　his　spear。
Sun　Ce　braced　himself　for　the　shock；　and　the　battle　began。　Fifty　bouts　were　fought　and　still　neither　batant　had　the　advantage。　Sun　Ce's　manders　whispered　to　each　other　their　admiration　and　amazement。　Taishi　Ci　saw　that　the　spearmanship　of　his　opponent　showed　no　weak　point　whereby　he　could　gain　the　advantage；　so　he　decided　to　resort　to　guile。　Feigning　defeat　he　would　lead　Sun　Ce　to　pursue。　Taishi　Ci　however　did　not　retire　along　the　road　by　which　he　had　e；　but　took　a　path　leading　around　the　hill　instead　of　over　it。　His　antagonist　followed；　shouting；　〃He　who　retreats　is　no　worthy　soldier！〃
But　Taishi　Ci　thought　within　himself；　〃He　has　twelve　others　at　his　back　and　I　only　one。　If　I　capture　him；　the　others　will　retake　him。　I　will　inveigle　him　into　some　secret　spot　and　then　try。〃
So　flying　and　fighting　by　turns　he　led　Sun　Ce；　an　eager　pursuer；　down　to　the　plain。　Here　Taishi　Ci　suddenly　wheeled　about　and　attacked。　Again　they　exchanged　half　a　hundred　bouts；　without　result。　Then　Sun　Ce　made　a　fierce　thrust；　which　his　opponent　evaded　by　gripping　the　spear　under　his　arm；　while　he　himself　did　the　same　with　his　opponent's　spear。　Neither　was　wounded　but　each　exerting　his　utmost　strength　to　pull　the　other　out　of　the　saddle　they　both　came　to　the　ground。
Their　steeds　galloped　off　they　knew　not　whither；　while　the　two　men；　each　dropping　his　spear；　began　a　hand　to　hand　struggle。　Soon　their　fighting　robes　were　in　tatters。　Sun　Ce　gripped　the　short　lance　that　Taishi　Ci　carried　at　his　back；　while　Taishi　Ci　tore　off　Sun　Ce's　helmet。　Sun　Ce　tried　to　stab　with　the　short　lance　but　Taishi　Ci　fended　off　the　blow　with　the　helmet　as　a　shield。
Then　arose　a　great　shouting。　Liu　Yao　had　e　up　with　a　thousand　soldiers。　Sun　Ce　seemed　now　in　sore　straits。　His　twelve　followers　came　up；　and　each　batant　let　go　his　hold。　Taishi　Ci　quickly　found　another　steed；　seized　a　spear；　and　mounted。　Sun　Ce；　whose　horse　had　been　caught　by　Cheng　Pu；　also　mounted；　and　a　confused　battle　began　between　the　handful　of　men　on　one　side　and　a　whole　thousand　troops　on　the　other。　It　swayed　and　drifted　down　the　hill　side。　However；　soon　Zhou　Yu　leading　his　troops　came　to　the　rescue；　and　as　evening　drew　on　a　tempest　put　an　end　to　the　fight。　Both　sides　drew　off　and　returned　to　camp。
Next　day　Sun　Ce　led　his　army　to　the　front　of　Liu　Yao's　camp；　and　the　challenge　was　accepted。　The　armies　were　drawn　up。
Sun　Ce　hung　the　short　lance　he　had　seized　from　Taishi　Ci　at　the　end　of　his　spear；　waved　it　in　front　of　the　line　of　battle；　and　ordered　his　soldiers　to　shout；　〃If　the　owner　of　this　had　not　fled；　he　would　have　been　stabbed　to　death！〃
On　the　other　side　they　hung　out　Sun　Ce's　helmet；　and　the　soldiers　shouted　back；　〃Sun　Ce's　head　is　here　already！〃
Both　sides　thus　yelled　defiance　at　each　other；　one　side　boasting；　the　other　bragging。　Then　Taishi　Ci　rode　out　challenging　Sun　Ce　to　a　duel　to　the　death；　and　Sun　Ce　would　have　accepted。
But　Cheng　Pu　said；　〃My　lord　should　not　trouble　himself。　I　will　take　him。〃
And　Cheng　Pu　rode　forth。
〃You　are　no　antagonist　for　me；〃　said　Taishi　Ci。　〃Tell　your　master　to　e　out。〃
This　incensed　Cheng　Pu；　who　rode　at　his　opponent；　and　they　two　fought　thirty　bouts。　The　duel　was　stopped　by　the　gongs　of　Liu　Yao。
〃Why　did　you　sound　the　retreat？〃　said　Taishi　Ci。　〃I　was　just　going　to　capture　the　wretch。〃
〃Because　I　have　just　heard　that　Que　has　been　captured。　Zhou　Yu　led　a　surprise　force　thither；　and　Chen　Wu　was　in　league　with　him　to　betray　the　city。　We　have　no　home　now。　I　will　hasten　to　Moling　to　get　the　help　of　Xue　Li　and　Ze　Rong　to　retake　the　city。〃
The　army　retired；　Taishi　Ci　with　it；　without　being　pursued。
On　the　other　side　Zhang　Zh