三国演义英文版-第113部分

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t　their　prows　pointed　east　and　to　go　closer　in　so　that　many　arrows　might　hit　them。
Zhuge　Liang　ordered　the　drums　to　be　kept　beating　till　the　sun　was　high　and　the　fog　began　to　disperse；　when　the　boats　got　under　way　and　sailed　down　stream。　The　whole　twenty　boats　were　bristling　with　arrows　on　both　sides。
As　they　left；　Zhuge　Liang　asked　all　the　crews　to　shout　derisively；　〃We　thank　you；　Sir　Prime　Minister；　for　the　arrows！〃
They　told　Cao　Cao；　but　by　the　time　he　came；　the　light　boats　helped　by　the　swift　current　were　seven　miles　long　down　the　river　and　pursuit　was　impossible。　Cao　Cao　saw　that　he　had　been　duped　and　was　very　sorry；　but　there　was　no　help　for　it。
On　the　way　down　Zhuge　Liang　said　to　his　panion；　〃Every　boat　must　have　five　or　six　thousand　arrows　and　so；　without　the　expenditure　of　an　ounce　of　energy；　we　must　have　more　than　ten　myriad　arrows；　which　tomorrow　can　be　shot　back　again　at　Cao　Cao's　army　to　his　great　inconvenience。〃
〃You　are　really　superhuman；〃　said　Lu　Su。　〃But　how　did　you　know　there　would　be　a　thick　fog　today？〃
〃One　cannot　be　a　leader　without　knowing　the　workings　of　heaven　and　the　ways　of　earth。　One　must　understand　the　secret　gates　and　the　interdependence　of　the　elements；　the　mysteries　of　tactics　and　the　value　of　forces。　It　is　but　an　ordinary　talent。　I　calculated　three　days　ago　that　there　would　be　a　fog　today；　and　so　I　set　the　limit　at　three　days。　Zhou　Yu　would　give　me　ten　days；　but　neither　artificers　nor　materials；　so　that　he　might　find　occasion　to　put　me　to　death　as　I　knew。　But　my　fate　lies　with　the　Supreme；　and　how　could　Zhou　Yu　harm　me？〃
Lu　Su　could　not　but　agree。　When　the　boats　arrived；　five　hundred　soldiers　were　in　readiness　on　the　bank　to　carry　away　the　arrows。　Zhuge　Liang　bade　them　go　on　board　the　boats；　collect　them　and　bear　them　to　the　tent　of　the　mander…in…Chief。　Lu　Su　went　to　report　that　the　arrows　had　been　obtained　and　told　Zhou　Yu　by　what　means。
Zhou　Yu　was　amazed　and　sighed　sadly；　saying；　〃He　is　better　than　I。　His　methods　are　more　than　human。〃

Thick　lies　the　fog　on　the　river；
Nature　is　shrouded　in　white；
Distant　and　near　are　confounded；
Banks　are　no　longer　in　sight。
Fast　fly　the　pattering　arrows；
Stick　in　the　boats　of　the　fleet。
Now　can　full　tale　be　delivered；
Zhuge　Liang　is　victor　plete。

When；　shortly　after　his　return；　Zhuge　Liang　went　to　the　tent　of　the　mander…in…Chief；　he　was　weled　by　Zhou　Yu；　who　came　forward　to　greet　him；　saying；　〃Your　superhuman　predictions　pel　one's　esteem。〃
〃There　is　nothing　remarkable　in　that　trifling　trick；〃　replied　he。
Zhou　Yu　led　him　within　and　wine　was　brought。
Then　Zhou　Yu　said；　〃My　lord　sent　yesterday　to　urge　me　to　advance；　but　I　have　no　master　plan　ready。　I　wish　you　would　assist　me；　Master。〃
〃But　where　should　I；　a　man　of　poor　everyday　ability；　find　such　a　plan　as　you　desire？〃
〃I　saw　the　enemy's　naval　camp　just　lately；　and　it　looked　very　plete　and　well　organized。　It　is　not　an　ordinary　place　to　attack。　I　have　thought　of　a　plan；　but　I　am　not　sure　it　will　answer。　I　should　be　happy　if　you　would　decide　for　me。〃
〃General；〃　replied　Zhuge　Liang；　〃do　not　say　what　your　plan　is；　but　each　of　us　will　write　in　the　palm　of　his　hand　and　see　whether　our　opinions　agree。〃
So　brush　and　ink　were　sent　for；　and　Zhou　Yu　first　wrote　on　his　own　palm；　and　then　passed　the　pen　to　Zhuge　Liang　who　also　wrote。　Then　getting　close　together　on　the　same　bench；　each　showed　his　hand　to　the　other；　and　both　burst　out　laughing；　for　both　had　written　the　same　word；　〃Fire。〃
〃Since　we　are　of　the　same　opinion；〃　said　Zhou　Yu；　〃there　is　no　longer　any　doubt。　But　our　intentions　must　be　kept　secret。〃
〃Both　of　us　are　public　servants；　and　what　would　be　the　sense　of　telling　our　plans？　I　do　not　think　Cao　Cao　will　be　on　his　guard　against　this；　although　he　has　had　two　experiences。　You　may　put　your　scheme　into　force。〃
They　finished　their　wine　and　separated。　Not　an　officer　knew　a　word　of　the　general's　plans。
Now　Cao　Cao　had　expended　a　myriad　arrows　in　vain　and　was　much　irritated　in　consequence。　He　deeply　desired　revenge。
Then　Xun　You　proposed　a　ruse；　saying；　〃The　two　strategists　on　the　side　of　the　enemy　are　Zhou　Yu　and　Zhuge　Liang；　two　men　most　difficult　to　get　the　better　of。　Let　us　send　someone　who　shall　pretend　to　surrender　to　them　but　really　be　a　spy　on　our　behalf　and　a　helper　in　our　schemes。　When　we　know　what　is　doing；　we　can　plan　to　meet　it。〃
〃I　had　thought　of　that　myself；〃　replied　Cao　Cao。　〃Whom　do　you　think　the　best　person　to　send？〃
〃Cai　Mao　has　been　put　to　death；　but　all　his　clan　and　family　are　in　the　army；　and　his　two　younger　brothers　are　junior　generals。　You　have　them　most　securely　in　your　power　and　may　send　them　to　surrender。　The　ruler　of　the　South　Land　will　never　suspect　deceit　there。〃
Cao　Cao　decided　to　act　on　this　plan；　and　in　the　evening　summoned　Cai　Zhong　and　Cai　He　to　his　tent；　where　he　told　them；　saying；　〃I　want　you　two　pretend　to　surrender　to　the　South　Land　so　that　you　can　gather　intelligence　and　sent　it　back。　When　all　done；　you　will　be　richly　rewarded。　But　do　not　betray　me。〃
〃Our　families　are　in　Jingzhou；　and　that　place　is　yours；〃　replied　they。　〃Should　we　dare　betray？　You　need　have　no　doubts；　Sir。　You　will　soon　see　the　heads　of　both　Zhou　Yu　and　Zhuge　Liang　at　your　feet。〃
Cao　Cao　gave　them　generous　gifts。　Soon　after　the　two　men；　each　with　his　five　hundred　soldiers；　set　sail　with　a　fair　wind　for　the　opposite　bank。
Now　as　Zhou　Yu　was　preparing　for　the　attack；　the　arrival　of　some　northern　ships　was　announced。　They　bore　the　two　younger　brothers　of　Cai　Mao；　who　had　e　as　deserters。
They　were　led　in　and；　bowing　before　the　general；　said；　weeping；　〃Our　innocent　brother　has　been　put　to　death；　and　we　desire　vengeance。　So　we　have　e　to　offer　allegiance　to　you。　We　pray　you　appoint　us　to　the　vanguard。〃
Zhou　Yu　appeared　very　pleased　and　made　them　presents。　Then　he　ordered　them　to　join　Gan　Ning　in　leading　the　van。　They　thanked　him　and　regarded　their　scheme　as　already　a　success。
But　Zhou　Yu　gave　Gan　Ning　secret　orders；　saying；　〃They　have　e　without　their　families；　and　so　I　know　their　desertion　is　only　pretense。　They　have　been　sent　as　spies；　and　I　am　going　to　meet　their　ruse　with　one　of　my　own。　They　shall　have　some　information　to　send。　You　will　treat　them　well；　but　keep　a　careful　guard　over　them。　On　the　day　our　soldiers　start　the　offense；　they　shall　be　sacrificed　to　the　flag。　But　be　very　careful　that　nothing　goes　wrong。〃
Gan　Ning　went　away。
Then　Lu　Su　came　to　tell　Zhou　Yu；　saying；　〃Everyone　agrees　in　thinking　the　surrender　of　Cai　Zhong　and　Cai　He　feigned　and　they　should　be　rejected。〃
〃But　they　wish　to　revenge　the　death　of　their　brother；〃　said　the　General。　〃Where　is　the　pretense？　If　you　are　so　suspicious；　you　will　receive　nobody　at　all。〃
Lu　Su　left　much　piqued　and　went　to　see　Zhuge　Liang　to　whom　he　told　the　story。　Zhuge　Liang　only　smiled。
〃Why　do　you　smile？〃　said　Lu　Su。
〃I　smile　at　your　simplicity。　The　General　is　playing　a　game。　Spies　cannot　easily　e　and　go；　so　these　two　have　been　sent　to　feign　desertion　that　they　may　act　as　spies。　The　General　is　meeting　one　ruse　with　another。　He　wants　them　to　give　false　information。　Deceit　is　not　to　be　despised　in　war；　and　his　scheme　is　the　correct　one　to　employ。〃
Then　Lu　Su　understood。
That　night　as　Zhou　Yu　was　sitting　in　his　tent；　Huang　Gai　came　to　see　him　privately。
Zhou　Yu　said；　〃You　have　surely　some　wise　plan　to　propose　that　you　e　at　night　like　this。〃
Huang　Gai　replied；　〃The　enemy　are　more　numerous　than　we；　and　it　is　wrong　to　delay。　Why　not　burn　them　out？〃
〃Who　suggested　that　to　you？〃
〃I　thought　of　it　myself。　Nobody　suggested　it；〃　replied　Huang　Gai。
〃I　just　wanted　something　like　this；　and　that　is　why　I　kept　those　two　pretended　deserters。　I　want　them　to　give　some　false　news。　The　pity　is　that　I　have　no　one　to　feign　desertion　to　the　other　side　and　work　my　plan。〃
〃But　I　will　carry　out　your　plan；〃　said　Huang　Gai。
〃But　if　you　cannot　show　some　injury；　you　will　not　be　believed；〃　said　Zhou　Yu。
〃The　Sun　family　have　been　very　generous　to　me；　and　I　would　not　resent　being　crushed　to　death　to　repay　them；〃　said　Huang　Gai。
The　General　bowed　and　thanked　him；　saying；　〃If　you　would　not　object　to　some　bodily　suffering；　then　the　South　Land　would　indeed　be　happy。〃
〃Kill　me。　I　do　not　mind；〃　repeated　Huang　Gai　as　he　took　his　leave。
Next　day　the　drums　called　all　the　officers　together　to　the　General's　tent；　and　Zhuge　Liang　came　with　the　others。
Zhou　Yu　said；　〃The　enemy's　camps　extend　about　one　hundred　miles　so　that　the　campaign　will　be　a　long　one。　Each　leader　is　to　prepare　supplies　for　three　months。〃
Scarcely　had　he　spoken　when　Huang　Gai　started　up；　crying；　〃Say　not　three　months。　Be　ready　for　thirty　months；　and　even　then　it　will　not　be　ended。　If　you　can　destroy　them　this　month；　then　all　is　well。　If　you　cannot；　then　it　were　better　to　take　Zhang　Zhao's　advice；　throw　down　your　weapons；　turn　to　the　north；　and　surrender。〃
Zhou　Yu's　anger　flared　up；　and　he　flushed；　crying；　〃Our　lord's　orders　were　to　destroy　Cao　Cao；　and　whoever　mentioned　the　word　surrender　should　be　put　to　death！　Now；　the　very　moment　when　the　two　armies　are　to　engage；　you　dare　talk　of　surrender　and　damp　the　ardor　of　my　army！　If　I　do　not　slay　you；　how　can　I　support　the　others？〃
He　ordered　the　lictors　to　remove　Huang　Gai　and　execute　him　without　delay。
Huang　Gai　then　flamed　up　in　turn；　saying；　〃This　is　the　third　generation　since　I　went　with　General　Sun　Jian；　and　we　overran　the　southeast。　Whence　have　you　sprung　up？〃
This　made　Zhou　Yu　perfectly　furious；　and　Huang　Gai　was　ordered　to　instant　death。　But　Gan　Ning　interfered。
Said　he；　〃He　is　a　veteran　officer　of　the　South　Land。　Pray　pardon　him！〃
〃What　are　you　prating　about？〃　cried　Zhou　Yu。　〃Dare　you　e　between　me　and　my　duty？〃
Turning　to　the　lictors；　Zhou　Yu　ordered　them　to　drive　Gan　Ning　forth　with　blows。
The　other　officials　fell　on　their　knees　entreating　pity　for　Huang　Gai。
〃He　is　indeed　most　worthy　of　death；　but　it　would　be　a　loss　to　the　army。　We　pray　you　forgive　him。　Record　his　fault　for　the　moment；　and　after　the　enemy　shall　have　been　defeated；　then　put　him　to　death。〃
But　Zhou　Yu　was　implacable。　The　officers　pleaded　with　tears。
At　length　he　seemed　moved；　saying；　〃Had　you　not　interceded；　he　should　certainly　have　suffered　death。　But　now　I　will　mitigate　the　punishment　to　a　beating。　He　shall　not　die。〃
Zhou　Yu　turned　to　the　lictors　and　bade　them　deal　the　culprit　one　hundred　blows。　Again　his　colleagues　prayed　for　remission；　but　Zhou　Yu　angrily　pushed　over　the　table　in　front　of　him　and　roared　to　the　officers　to　get　out　of　the　way　and　let　the　sentence　be　executed。
So　Huang　Gai　was　stripped；　thrown　to　the　ground；　and　fifty　blows　were　given。　At　this　point　the　officers　again　prayed　that　he　be　let　off。
Zhou　Yu　sprang　from　his　chair　and　pointing　his　finger　at　Huang　Gai　said；　〃If　you　dare　flout　me　again；　you　shall　have　the　other　fifty。　If　you　are　guilty　of　any　disrespect；　you　shall　be　punished　for　both　faults！〃
With　this　he　turned　into　the　inner　part　of　the　tent；　growling　as　he　went；　while　the　officers　helped　their　beaten　colleague　to　his　feet。　He　was　in　a　deplorable　state。　His　back　was　cut　in　many　places；　and　the　blood　was　flowing　in　streams。　They　led　him　to　his　own　quarters　and　on　the　way　he　swooned　several　times。　His　case　seemed　most　pitiable。
Lu　Su　went　to　see　the　suffering　officer　and　then　called　on　Zhuge　Liang　in　his　boat。
Lu　Su　related　the　story　of　the　beating