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f　a　head　on　his　body。　His　followers　fled；　and　Zhao　Yun　retook　the　road　toward　Long　Slope　Bridge。
But　in　his　rear　arose　another　tumultuous　shouting；　seeming　to　rend　the　very　sky；　and　Wen　Ping　came　up　behind。　However；　although　the　man　was　weary　and　his　steed　spent；　Zhao　Yun　got　close　to　the　bridge　where　he　saw　standing；　all　ready　for　any　fray；　Zhang　Fei。
〃Help　me；　Zhang　Fei！〃　he　cried　and　crossed　the　bridge。
〃Hasten！〃　cried　Zhang　Fei；　〃I　will　keep　back　the　pursuers！〃
About　seven　miles　from　the　bridge；　Zhao　Yun　saw　Liu　Bei　with　his　followers　reposing　in　the　shade　of　some　trees。　He　dismounted　and　drew　near；　weeping。　The　tears　also　started　to　Liu　Bei's　eyes　when　he　saw　his　faithful　mander。
Still　panting　from　his　exertions；　Zhao　Yun　gasped　out；　〃My　fault………death　is　too　light　a　punishment。　Lady　Mi　was　severely　wounded。　She　refused　my　horse　and　threw　herself　into　a　well。　She　is　dead；　and　all　I　could　do　was　to　fill　in　the　well　with　the　rubbish　that　lay　around。　But　I　placed　the　babe　in　the　breast　of　my　fighting　robe　and　have　won　my　way　out　of　the　press　of　battle。　Thanks　to　the　little　lord's　grand　luck　I　have　escaped。　At　first　he　cried　a　good　deal；　but　for　some　time　now　he　has　not　stirred　or　made　a　sound。　I　fear　I　may　not　have　saved　his　life　after　all。〃
Then　Zhao　Yun　opened　his　robe　and　looked：　The　child　was　fast　asleep。
〃Happily；　Sir；　your　son　is　unhurt；〃　said　Zhao　Yun　as　he　drew　him　forth　and　presented　him　in　both　hands。
Liu　Bei　took　the　child　but　threw　it　aside　angrily；　saying；　〃To　preserve　that　suckling　I　very　nearly　lost　a　great　mander！〃
Zhao　Yun　picked　up　the　child　again　and；　weeping；　said；　〃Were　I　ground　to　powder；　I　could　not　prove　my　gratitude。〃

From　out　Cao　Cao's　host　a　tiger　rushed；
His　wish　but　to　destroy；
Though　Liu　Bei's　consort　lost　her　life；
Zhao　Yun　preserved　her　boy。
〃Too　great　the　risk　you　ran　to　save
This　child；〃　the　father　cried。
To　show　he　rated　Zhao　Yun　high；
He　threw　his　son　aside。

Wen　Ping　and　his　pany　pursued　Zhao　Yun　till　they　saw　Zhang　Fei's　bristling　mustache　and　fiercely　glaring　eyes　before　them。　There　he　was　seated　on　his　battle　steed；　his　hand　grasping　his　terrible　serpent　spear；　guarding　the　bridge。　They　also　saw　great　clouds　of　dust　rising　above　the　trees　and　concluded　they　would　fall　into　an　ambush　if　they　ventured　across　the　bridge。　So　they　stopped　the　pursuit；　not　daring　to　advance　further。
In　a　little　time　Cao　Ren；　Xiahou　Dun；　Xiahou　Yuan；　Li　Dian；　Yue　Jing；　Zhang　Liao；　Xu　Chu；　Zhang　He；　and　other　generals　of　Cao　Cao　came　up；　but　none　dared　advance；　frightened　not　only　by　Zhang　Fei's　fierce　look；　but　lest　they　should　bee　victims　of　a　ruse　of　Zhuge　Liang。　As　they　came　up；　they　formed　a　line　on　the　west　side；　halting　till　they　could　inform　their　lord　of　the　position。
As　soon　as　the　messengers　arrived　and　Cao　Cao　heard　about　it；　he　mounted　and　rode　to　the　bridge　to　see　for　himself。　Zhang　Fei's　fierce　eye　scanning　the　hinder　position　of　the　army　opposite　him　saw　the　silken　umbrella；　the　axes　and　banners　ing　along；　and　concluded　that　Cao　Cao　came　to　see　for　himself　how　matters　stood。
So　in　a　mighty　voice　he　shouted：　〃I　am　Zhang　Fei　of　Yan。　Who　dares　fight　with　me？〃
At　the　sound　of　this　thunderous　voice；　a　terrible　quaking　fear　seized　upon　Cao　Cao；　and　he　bade　them　take　the　umbrella　away。
Turning　to　his　followers；　he　said；　〃Guan　Yu　had　said　that　his　brother　Zhang　Fei　was　the　sort　of　man　to　go　through　an　army　of　a　hundred　legions　and　take　the　head　of　its　mander…in…chief；　and　do　it　easily。　Now　here　is　this　terror　in　front　of　us；　and　we　must　be　careful。〃
As　he　finished　speaking；　again　that　terrible　voice　was　heard；　〃I　am　Zhang　Fei　of　Yan。Who　dares　fight　with　me？〃
Cao　Cao；　seeing　his　enemy　so　fierce　and　resolute；　was　too　frightened　to　think　of　anything　but　retreat。
Zhang　Fei；　seeing　a　movement　going　on　in　the　rear；　once　again　shook　his　spear　and　roared；　〃What　mean　you？　You　will　not　fight　nor　do　you　run　away！〃
This　roar　had　scarcely　begun　when　one　of　Cao　Cao's　staff；　Xiahou　Jie；　reeled　and　fell　from　his　horse　terror…stricken；　paralyzed　with　fear。　The　panic　touched　Cao　Cao　and　spread　to　his　whole　surroundings；　and　he　and　his　staff　galloped　for　their　lives。　They　were　as　frightened　as　a　suckling　babe　at　a　clap　of　thunder　or　a　weak　woodcutter　at　the　roar　of　a　tiger。　Many　threw　away　their　spears；　dropped　their　casques　and　fled；　a　wave　of　panic…stricken　humanity；　a　tumbling　mass　of　terrified　horses。　None　thought　of　ought　but　flight；　and　those　who　ran　trampled　the　bodies　of　fallen　rades　under　foot。

Zhang　Fei　was　wrathful；　and　who　dared
To　accept　his　challenge？　Fierce　he　glared；
His　thunderous　voice　rolled　out；　and　then
In　terror　fled　Cao　Cao's　armed　soldiers。

Panic…stricken　Cao　Cao　galloped　westward　with　the　rest；　thinking　of　nothing　but　getting　away。　He　lost　his　headdress；　and　his　loosened　hair　streamed　behind　him。　Presently　Zhang　Liao　and　Xu　Chu　came　up　with　him　and　seized　his　bridle；　fear　had　deprived　him　of　all　self…control。
〃Do　not　be　frightened；〃　said　Zhang　Liao。　〃After　all　Zhang　Fei　is　but　one　man　and　not　worthy　of　extravagant　fear。　If　you　will　only　return　and　attack；　you　will　capture　your　enemy。〃
That　time　Cao　Cao　had　somewhat　overe　his　panic　and　bee　reasonable。　Two　generals　were　ordered　back　to　the　bridge　to　reconnoiter。
Zhang　Fei　saw　the　disorderly　rout　of　the　enemy　but　he　dared　not　pursue。　However；　he　bade　his　score　or　so　of　dust…raising　followers　to　cut　loose　the　branches　from　their　horses'　tails　and　e　to　help　destroy　the　bridge。　This　done　he　went　to　report　to　his　brother　and　told　him　of　the　destruction　of　the　bridge。
〃Brave　as　you　are；　brother；　and　no　one　is　braver；　but　you　are　no　strategist；〃　said　Liu　Bei。
〃What　mean　you；　brother？〃
〃Cao　Cao　is　very　deep。　You　are　no　match　for　him。　The　destruction　of　the　bridge　will　bring　him　in　pursuit。〃
〃If　he　ran　away　at　a　yell　of　mine；　think　you　he　will　dare　return？〃
〃If　you　had　left　the　bridge；　he　would　have　thought　there　was　an　ambush　and　would　not　have　dared　to　pass　it。　Now　the　destruction　of　the　bridge　tells　him　we　are　weak　and　fearful；　and　he　will　pursue。　He　does　not　mind　a　broken　bridge。　His　legions　could　fill　up　the　biggest　rivers　that　we　could　get　across。〃
So　orders　were　given　to　march；　and　they　went　by　a　bye…road　which　led　diagonally　to　Hanjin　by　the　road　of　Minyang。
The　two　generals　sent　by　Cao　Cao　to　reconnoiter　near　Long　Slope　Bridge　returned；　saying；　〃The　bridge　has　been　destroyed。　Zhang　Fei　has　left。〃
〃Then　he　is　afraid；〃　said　Cao　Cao。
Cao　Cao　at　once　gave　orders　to　set　ten　thousand　men　at　work　on　three　floating　bridges　to　be　finished　that　night。
Li　Dian　said；　〃I　fear　this　is　one　of　the　wiles　of　Zhuge　Liang。　So　be　careful。〃
〃Zhang　Fei　is　just　a　bold　warrior；　but　there　is　no　guile　about　him；〃　said　Cao　Cao。
He　gave　orders　for　immediate　advance。
Liu　Bei　was　making　all　speed　to　Hanjin。　Suddenly　there　appeared　in　his　track　a　great　cloud　of　dust　whence　came　loud　rolls　of　drums　and　shoutings。
Liu　Bei　was　dismayed　and　said；　〃Before　us　rolls　the　Great　River；　behind　is　the　pursuer。　What　hope　is　there　for　us？〃
But　he　bade　Zhao　Yun　organize　a　defense。
Now　Cao　Cao　in　an　order　to　his　army　had　said；　〃Liu　Bei　is　a　fish　in　the　fish　kettle；　a　tiger　in　the　pit。　Catch　him　this　time；　or　the　fish　will　get　back　to　the　sea　and　the　tiger　escape　to　the　mountains。　Therefore　every　general　must　use　his　best　efforts　to　press　on。〃
In　consequence　every　leader　bade　those　under　him　hasten　forward。　And　they　were　pressing　on　at　great　speed；　when　suddenly　a　body　of　soldiers　appeared　from　the　hills　and　a　voice　cried；　〃I　have　waited　here　a　long　time！〃
The　leader　who　had　shouted　this　bore　in　his　hand　the　green…dragon　saber　and　rode　Red　Hare；　for　indeed　it　was　no　other　than　Guan　Yu。　He　had　gone　to　Jiangxia　for　help　and　had　returned　with　a　whole　legion　of　ten　thousand。　Having　heard　of　the　battle；　he　had　taken　this　very　road　to　intercept　pursuit。
As　soon　as　Guan　Yu　appeared；　Cao　Cao　stopped　and　said　to　his　officers；　〃Here　we　are；　tricked　again　by　that　Zhuge　Liang！〃
Without　more　ado　he　ordered　a　retreat。　Guan　Yu　followed　him　some　three　miles　and　then　drew　off　to　act　as　guard　to　his　elder　brother　on　his　way　to　the　river。　There　boats　were　ready；　and　Liu　Bei　and　family　went　on　board。　When　all　were　settled　fortably　in　the　boat；　Guan　Yu　asked　where　was　his　sister；　the　second　wife　of　his　brother；　Lady　Mi。　Then　Liu　Bei　told　him　the　story　of　Dangyang。
〃Alas！〃　said　Guan　Yu。　〃Had　you　taken　my　advice　that　day　of　the　hunting　in　Xutian；　we　should　have　escaped　the　misery　of　this　day。〃
〃But；〃　said　Liu　Bei；　〃on　that　day　it　was　'Ware　damaged　when　pelting　rats。'〃
Just　as　Liu　Bei　spoke；　he　heard　war　drums　on　the　south　bank。　A　fleet　of　boats；　thick　as　a　flight　of　ants；　came　running　up　with　swelling　sails　before　the　fair　wind。　He　was　alarmed。
The　boats　came　nearer。　There　Liu　Bei　saw　the　white　clad　figure　of　a　man　wearing　a　silver　helmet　who　stood　in　the　prow　of　the　foremost　ship。
The　leader　cried；　〃Are　you　all　right；　my　uncle？　I　am　very　guilty。〃
It　was　Liu　Qi。　He　bowed　low　as　the　ship　passed；　saying；　〃I　heard　you　were　in　danger　from　Cao　Cao；　and　I　have　e　to　aid　you。〃
Liu　Bei　weled　Liu　Qi　with　joy；　and　his　soldiers　joined　in　with　the　main　body；　and　the　whole　fleet　sailed　on；　while　they　told　each　other　their　adventures。
Unexpectedly　in　the　southwest　there　appeared　a　line　of　fighting　ships　swishing　up　before　a　fair　wind。
Liu　Qi　said；　〃All　my　troops　are　here；　and　now　there　is　an　enemy　barring　the　way。　If　they　are　not　Cao　Cao's　ships；　they　must　be　from　the　South　Land。　We　have　a　poor　chance。　What　now？〃
Liu　Bei　went　to　the　prow　and　gazed　at　them。　Presently　he　made　out　a　figure　in　a　turban　and　Taoist　robe　sitting　in　the　bows　of　one　of　the　boats　and　knew　it　to　be　Zhuge　Liang。　Behind　him　stood　Sun　Qian。
When　they　were　quite　near；　Liu　Bei　asked　Zhuge　Liang　how　he　came　to　be　there。
And　Zhuge　Liang　reported　what　he　had　done；　saying；　〃When　I　reached　Jiangxia；　I　sent　Guan　Yu　to　land　at　Hanjin　with　reinforcements；　for　I　feared　pursuit　from　Cao　Cao　and　knew　that　road　you　would　take　instead　of　Jiangling。　So　I　prayed　your　nephew　to　go　to　meet　you；　while　I　went　to　Xiakou　to　muster　as　many　soldiers　as　possible。〃
The　new…ers　added　to　their　strength；　and　they　began　once　more　to　consider　how　their　powerful　enemy　might　be　overe。
Said　Zhuge　Liang；　〃Xiakou　is　strong　and　a　good　strategic　point。　It　is　also　rich　and　suited　for　a　lengthy　stay。　I　would　ask　you；　my　lord；　to　make　it　a　permanent　camp。　Your　nephew　can　go　to　Jiangxia　to　get　the　fleet　in　order　and　prepare　weapons。　Thus　we　can　create　two　threatening　angles　for　our　position。　If　we　all　return　to　Jiangxia；　the　position　will　be　weakened。〃
Liu　Qi　replied；　〃The　Directing　Instructor's　words　are　excellent；　but　I　wish　rather　my　uncle　stayed　awhile　in　Jiangxia　till　the　army　was　in　thorough　order。　Then　he　could　go　to　Xiakou。〃
〃You　speak　to　the　point；　nephew；〃　replied　Liu　Bei。
Then　leaving　Guan　Yu　with　five　thousand　troops　at　Xiakou　he；　with　Zhuge　Liang　and　his　nephew；　went　to　Jiangxia。
When　Cao　Cao　saw　Guan　Yu　with　a　force　ready　to　attack；　he　feared　lest　a　greater　number　were　hidden　away　behind；　so　he　stopped　the　pursuit。　He　also　feared　lest　Liu　Bei　should　take　Jiangling；　so　he　marched　thither　with　all　haste。
The　two　officers　in　mand　at　Jingzhou　City；　Deng　Yi　and　Liu　Xin；　had　heard　of　the　death　of　their　lord　Liu　Zong　at　Xiangyang　and；　knowing　that　there　was　no　chance　of　successful　defense　against　Cao　Cao's　armies；　they　led　out　the　people　of　Jingzhou　to　the　outskirts　and　offered　submission。　Cao　Cao　entered　the　city　and；　after　restoring　order　and　confidence；　he　released　Han　Song　and　gave　him　the　dignified　office　of　Director　of　Ambassadorial　Receptions。　He　rewarded　the　others。
Then　said　Cao　Cao；　〃Liu　Bei　has　gone　to　Jiangxia　and　may　ally　himself　with　the　South　Land；　and　the　opposition　to　me　will　be　greater。　Can　he　be　destroyed？〃
Xun　You　said；　〃The　splendor　of　your　achievements　has　spread　wide。　Therefore　you　might　send　a　messenger　to　invite　Sun　Quan　to　a　grand　hunting　party　at　Jiangxia；　and　you　two　could　seize　Liu　Bei；　share　Jingzhou　with　Sun　Quan；　and　make　a　solemn　treaty。　Sun　Quan　will　be　too　frightened　not　to　e　over　to　you；　and　your　end　will　be　gained。〃
Cao　Cao　agreed。　He　sent　the　letters　by　a　messenger；　and　he　prepared　his　army………horse　and　foot　and　marines。　He　had　in　all　eight　hundred　thirty　thousand　troops；　but　he　called　them　a　million。　The