三国演义英文版-第241章
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They sent news of the victory to Liu Bei; who came with Zhuge Liang to the scene of the victory; and there they heard the full story of Zhao Yun's prowess。 Liu Bei was very glad; and when he had seen the steepness and difficulties of the surrounding hills; he understood the fine deeds of valor that had been done。
Turning to Zhuge Liang; Liu Bei said; 〃Truly; the man is brave all through!〃
Behold Zhao Yun of Changshan;
Whose whole body is valor;
Formerly he fought at Dangyang;
And his courage today is no less。
He rushes into the array to manifest heroism;
Surrounded by his enemies;
He is dauntless and daring。
Devils howl and spirits cry;
The sky is afraid and earth trembles。
Such is Zhao Yun; the brave;
Whose whole body is valor。
For his services Liu Bei gave Zhao Yun the title of General Who Possesses Tiger Prowess。 And the soldiers of his army were rewarded; and there was banqueting to a late hour。
Soon it was reported: 〃Cao Cao is ing again down through the Xie Valley to try to capture River Han。〃
But Liu Bei laughed; saying; 〃He will not succeed; for I think that we shall gain mand of the river。〃
Then Liu Bei led his army west of the river to oppose Cao Cao。 When Cao Cao drew near; he sent out Xu Huang to lead the van and open the battle。
A General named Wang Ping said; 〃I know the country well; and I wish to help General Xu Huang to destroy the army of Shu。〃
Wang Ping was sent as second in mand。
Cao Cao camped on the north of Dingjun Mountain; and his advanced guard marched away making for River Han。 And when they reached the bank; Xu Huang gave orders to cross to the other side。
〃To cross the river is well;〃 said Wang Ping; 〃but what if you have to retreat?〃
'e' Han Xin was a general of Liu Bang。 Before serving Han; Han Xin had been an officer under Xiang Yu。 Disappointed because his plans were rejected; Han Xin left Xiang Yu and joined Liu Bang's camp; where he was made mander…in…Chief by remendations of Xiao He and Zhang Liang。 Enobled as King of Qi; then King of Chu。 。。。。。
〃Of old; when Han Xin* made his array with a river in his rear; he said that out of the place of death one could return to life。〃
〃You are mistaken now。 The cases are not the same; for then Han Xin knew his opponents were unskillful。 Have you reckoned upon the skill of our opponents; Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong?〃
〃You may lead the footmen to hold the enemy while I destroy them with the horsemen;〃 said Xu Huang。
Then bridges were built and the army crossed。
A man of Wei wildly quoted Han Xin;
A minister of Shu would be another Zhang Liang?
Who won the victory will next be revealed。
Main Next to Chapter 72 》》
Romance of Three Kingdoms … by Luo Guanzhong … Chapter 72
Chapter 72
Zhuge Liang's Wit Takes Hanzhong;
Cao Cao's Army Retires To The Ye Valley。
In spite of the most earnest dissuasion; Xu Huang crossed the river and camped。 Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun asked to be allowed to go against the host of Cao Cao; and Liu Bei gave his consent。
Then said Huang Zhong; 〃Xu Huang has been bold enough to e。 We will not go out against him till evening; when his soldiers are fatigued。 Then we will fall upon him one on either side。〃
Zhao Yun consented; and each retired to a stockade。 Xu Huang appeared and for a long time tried to draw them into a fight; but they refused to go forth。 Then Xu Huang ordered his bowmen to begin to shoot straight before them; and the arrows and bolts fell in the Shu camp。
Huang Zhong said; 〃He must be thinking of retreat; or he would not shoot thus。 Now is our time to smite him。〃
Then the scouts reported that the rearmost bodies of the enemy had begun to retreat。 The drums of Shu rolled a deafening peal; and Huang Zhong's army from the left and Zhao Yun's army from the right came to the attack; and the double fight began。 Xu Huang was badly defeated; and the flying soldiers were forced to River Han; where many were drowned。 But Xu Huang escaped after fighting desperately; and when he got back to camp; he blamed his colleague Wang Ping for not having e to his aid。
〃Had I done so; these camps would have been left unguarded;〃 said Wang Ping。 〃I tried to dissuade you from going; but you would not hear me; and you brought about this reverse yourself。〃
Xu Huang in his wrath tried to slay Wang Ping; but Wang Ping escaped to his own camp。 In the night; Wang Ping set fire on both camps; and great confusion reigned in the lines。 Xu Huang ran away; but Wang Ping crossed the river and surrendered to Zhao Yun; who led him to Liu Bei。 Wang Ping told Liu Bei all about River Han and the country near by。
〃I shall surely capture Hanzhong now that you are here to help me; friend Wang Ping;〃 said Liu Bei。
Liu Bei made Wang Ping General and Army Guide。
Xu Huang reported Wang Ping's defection; which made Cao Cao very angry。 Cao Cao placed himself at the head of a force and tried to retake the bank of the river。
Zhao Yun; thinking his troops too few; retired to the west side; and the two armies lay on opposite sides of the stream。 Liu Bei and his adviser came down to view the position。 Zhuge Liang saw in the upper course of the stream a hill which might well screen a thousand soldiers。
So Zhuge Liang returned to camp; called in Zhao Yun and said; 〃General; you lead five hundred troops; with drums and horns; and place them in ambush behind the hill; to await certain orders which will e some time during the night or at dawn。 When you hear a detonation; you are not to appear; only give a long roll of the drums at every report。〃
Zhao Yun departed to play his part in the drama; while Zhuge Liang went to a hill whence he could overlook the scene。
When next the army of Cao Cao approached the camp of Shu and offered battle; not a man came out; nor was an arrow or a bolt shot。 They retired without any result。 But in the depths of the night; when all the lights in the camp were extinguished and all appeared tranquil and restful; Zhuge Liang exploded a bomb; and at once Zhao Yun beat his drums and blared his trumpets。 Cao Cao's soldiers awoke in alarm; thinking it was a night raid。 They rushed out; but there was no enemy; and as the hubbub ceased they went back to sleep。 Soon after there was another bomb; and again the drums and the trumpets seeming to shake the earth itself; and the fearsome roar echoing along the valleys and from the hills again scared Cao Cao's soldiers。 Thus the night passed in constant alarms。 The next night was the same; and the next。 On the fourth day Cao Cao broke up his camp; marched his troops ten miles to the rear and pitched his camp in a clear; wide space among the hills。
Zhuge Liang was pleased at the result of his ruse。 Said he; smiling; 〃Cao Cao is skilled in war; but still he is not proof against all deceitful tricks。〃
The troops of Shu then crossed the river and camped with the stream behind them。 When Liu Bei asked the next move; he was told; but also told to keep the plan a secret。
Seeing Liu Bei thus encamped; Cao Cao became doubtful and anxious; and; to bring things to a decision; he sent a written declaration of war; to which Zhuge Liang replied that they would fight a battle on the morrow。
On the morrow the armies faced each other half way between the two camps in front of the Mountain of Five Borders; and there they arrayed。 Cao Cao presently rode up stood beside his banner; with his officers right and left and the dragon and phoenix banners fluttering in the wind。 His drums rolled thrice; and then he summoned Liu Bei to a parley。 Liu Bei rode out supported by Liu Feng; Meng Da; and other leaders。 Then Cao Cao insolently flourizshed his whip and vilified his opponent。
〃Liu Bei; you have forgotten kindness and lost the sense of right。 You are a rebel against the government。〃
Liu Bei answered; 〃I am related to the imperial family; and I hold an edict authorizing me to seize all rebels。 You have dared to lift up your hand against Empress Fu; made yourself a king; and arrogantly presume to an imperial chariot。 If you are not a rebel; what are you?〃
Then Cao Cao ordered Xu Huang out to give battle; and Liu Feng went to meet him。 As the bat began; Liu Bei retired within the ranks of his array。 Liu Feng was no match for his opponent; and fled。
Cao Cao issued an order to captu