三国演义英文版-第141部分

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s。　It　has　been　overcast　for　many　days；　and　these　clouds　foretell　a　north　wind　and　intense　cold。　When　the　wind　begins　to　blow；　you　should　hurry　your　army　to　carry　up　the　earth　and　sprinkle　it　with　water。　By　dawn　your　wall　will　be　plete。〃
Cao　Cao　seized　upon　the　suggestion。　He　offered　his　aged　visitor　a　reward；　but　the　venerable　one　would　receive　nothing。
That　night　the　wind　came　down　in　full　force。　Every　man　possible　was　set　to　earth…carrying　and　wetting。　As　they　had　no　other　means　of　carrying　water；　they　made　stuff　bags　which　they　filled　with　water　and　let　out　the　water　over　the　earth。　And　so　as　they　piled　the　earth；　they　froze　it　solid　with　water；　and　by　dawn　the　wall　was　finished　and　stood　firm。
When　his　scouts　told　Ma　Chao　that　the　enemy　had　built　a　wall；　he　rode　out　and　saw　it。　Ma　Chao　was　greatly　perplexed　and　began　to　suspect　help　from　the　gods。
However；　very　soon　after；　he　got　his　whole　army　together　and　sounded　an　attack。　Cao　Cao　himself　rode　out　of　the　camp；　with　only　the　redoubtable　Xu　Chu　in　attendance；　and　advanced　toward　the　enemy。
Flourishing　his　whip　he　called　out；　〃I；　Cao　Cao；　am　here　alone；　and　I　beg　Ma　Chao　to　e　out　to　parley　with　me。〃
Thereupon　Ma　Chao　rode　out；　his　spear　set　ready　to　thrust。
〃You　despised　me　because　I　had　no　wall　to　my　camp；　but　lo！　in　one　single　night；　God　has　made　me　a　wall。　Do　you　not　think　it　time　to　give　in？〃
Ma　Chao　was　so　enraged　that　he　almost　rushed　at　Cao　Cao；　but　he　was　not　too　angry　to　notice　the　henchman　behind　him；　glaring　in　angry　fashion；　who　held　a　gleaming　sword　in　his　grip。　Ma　Chao　thought　this　man　could　be　no　other　than　Xu　Chu；　so　he　determined　to　find　out。
With　a　flourish　of　his　whip；　he　said；　〃Where　is　the　noble　'Marquis　Tiger'　that　I　hear　you　have　in　your　camp？〃
At　this　Xu　Chu　lifted　his　sword　and　roared；　〃I　am　Xu　Chu　of　Qiao！〃
From　Xu　Chu's　eyes　shot　gleams　of　supernatural　light　and　his　attitude　was　so　terror…striking　that　Ma　Chao　dared　not　move。　He　turned　his　steed　and　retired。
Cao　Cao　and　his　doughty　follower　returned　to　their　camp。　As　they　two　passed　between　the　armies；　not　a　man　there　but　felt　a　quiver　of　fear。
〃They　know　our　friend　Xu　Chu　over　there　as　Marquis　Tiger；〃　said　Cao　Cao　when　he　returned。
And　thereafter　the　soldiers　all　called　Xu　Chu　by　that　name。
〃I　will　capture　that　fellow　Ma　Chao　tomorrow；〃　said　Xu　Chu。
〃Ma　Chao　is　very　bold；〃　said　his　master。　〃Be　careful！〃
〃I　swear　to　fight　him　to　the　death；〃　said　Xu　Chu。
Then　Xu　Chu　sent　a　written　challenge　to　his　enemy　saying　that　the　Marquis　Tiger　challenged　Ma　Chao　to　a　decisive　duel　on　the　morrow。
Ma　Chao　was　very　angry　when　he　received　the　letter。
〃Dare　he　insult　me　so？〃　cried　he。　Then　he　wrote　his　pledge　to　slay　Tiger　Lust　on　the　morrow。
Next　day　both　armies　moved　out　and　arrayed　in　order　of　battle。　Ma　Chao　gave　Pang　De　and　Ma　Dai　mand　of　the　two　wings；　while　Han　Sui　took　the　center。
Ma　Chao　took　up　his　station　in　front　of　the　center　and　shouted；　〃Where　is　the　Tiger　Lust？〃
Cao　Cao；　who　was　on　horseback　by　the　standard；　turned　and　said；　〃Ma　Chao　is　no　less　bold　than　Lu　Bu！〃
As　he　spoke；　Xu　Chu　rode　forth　whirling　his　sword　and　the　duel　began。　They　fought　over　a　hundred　bouts；　and　neither　had　the　advantage。　But　then；　their　steeds　being　spent　with　galloping　to　and　fro；　each　retired　within　his　own　lines　and　obtained　a　fresh　mount。　The　contest　was　renewed；　and　a　hundred　more　encounters　took　place；　still　without　victory　to　either。
Suddenly　Xu　Chu　galloped　back　to　his　own　side；　stripped　off　his　armor；　showing　his　magnificent　muscles　and；　naked　as　he　was；　leaped　again　into　the　saddle　and　rode　out　to　continue　the　battle。
Again　the　champions　engaged；　while　both　armies　stood　aghast。　Thirty　bouts　more；　and　Xu　Chu；　summoning　up　all　his　force；　plunged　toward　Ma　Chao　with　his　sword　held　high　to　strike。　But　Ma　Chao　avoided　the　stroke　and　rode　in　with　his　spear　pointing　directly　at　his　opponent's　heart。　Throwing　down　his　sword；　Xu　Chu　dashed　aside　the　spear；　which　passed　underneath　his　arm。
Then　ensued　a　struggle　for　the　spear；　and　Xu　Chu　by　a　mighty　effort　snapped　the　shaft　so　that　each　held　one　half。　Then　the　duel　was　continued；　each　be　laboring　the　other　with　the　pieces　of　the　broken　spear。
At　this　point　Cao　Cao　began　to　fear　for　his　champion　and　so　ordered　two　of　his　generals；　Xiahou　Yuan　and　Cao　Hong；　to　go　out　and　take　a　hand。　At　this　Pang　De　and　Ma　Dai　gave　the　signal　to　their　armored　horsemen　to　attack。　They　rode　in；　and　a　melee　began　in　which　Cao　Cao's　troops　were　worsted；　and　the　great　champion　Xu　Chu　received　two　arrow　wounds　in　the　shoulder。　So　the　troops　of　Cao　Cao　retreated　to　their　stockade；　Ma　Chao　following　them　to　the　river。　Cao　Cao's　army　lost　more　than　half　their　number。
Cao　Cao　barred　his　gates　and　allowed　none　to　go　out。
Ma　Chao　went　down　to　the　river。　When　he　saw　Han　Sui；　he　said；　〃I　have　seen　some　wicked　fighters；　but　none　to　match　that　Xu　Chu。　He　is　aptly　nicknamed　Tiger　Lust〃
Thinking　that　by　strategy　he　might　get　the　better　of　Ma　Chao；　Cao　Cao　secretly　sent　two　bodies　of　troops　across　the　river　to　the　south　bank　to　take　up　position　so　that　he　might　attack　in　front　and　rear。
One　day　from　his　ramparts；　Cao　Cao　saw　Ma　Chao　and　a　few　horsemen　ride　close　up　to　the　walls　and　then　gallop　to　and　fro　like　the　wind。
After　gazing　at　them　for　a　long　time；　Cao　Cao　tore　off　his　helmet　and　dashed　it　on　the　ground；　saying；　〃If　that　Ma　Chao　is　not　killed；　may　I　never　know　my　place　of　burial！〃
Xiahou　Yuan　heard　his　master；　and　his　heart　burned　within　him。　He　cried；　〃May　I　die　here　at　once　if　I　do　not　destroy　that　rebel！〃
Without　more　ado；　Xiahou　Yuan　flung　open　the　gates　and　rode　out　with　his　pany。　Cao　Cao　tried　to　stop　this　mad　rush；　but　it　was　no　good。　So；　fearing　Xiahou　Yuan　might　e　to　grief；　Cao　Cao　rode　out　after　him。　At　sight　of　the　soldiers　of　Cao　Cao；　Ma　Chao　faced　his　troops　about；　extended　them　in　line　and；　as　the　enemy　approached；　dashed　forward　to　the　attack。　Then　noticing　Cao　Cao　himself　among　them；　Ma　Chao　left　Xiahou　Yuan　and　rode　straight　for　Cao　Cao。　Panic　seized　Cao　Cao　and　he　rode　for　his　life；　while　his　troops　were　thrown　into　confusion。
It　was　during　the　pursuit　of　this　portion　of　the　Cao　Cao's　army　that　Ma　Chao　was　told　of　a　force　of　the　enemy　on　the　south　of　River　Wei。　Realizing　the　danger；　he　abandoned　the　pursuit；　called　in　his　forces；　and　went　to　his　own　camp；　there　to　consult　with　Han　Sui。
〃What　now？　Cao　Cao　has　crossed　to　the　south　of　the　river；　and　we　can　be　attacked　in　the　rear；〃　said　Ma　Chao。
mander　Li　Kan　said；　〃Then　you　had　better　e　to　an　agreement；　sacrifice　some　territory；　and　make　peace。　Then　both　can　repose　through　the　winter　and　await　the　changes　and　chances　that　may　e　with　the　spring　warmth。〃
〃He　is　wise；〃　said　Han　Sui；　〃and　I　advise　the　same。〃
But　Ma　Chao　hesitated。　Others　exhorted　him　to　make　peace；　and　at　length　he　agreed。　So　Yang　Qiu　and　Hou　Xuan　were　sent　as　messengers　of　peace　to　the　camp　of　Cao　Cao。
〃You　may　return。　I　will　send　my　reply；〃　said　Cao　Cao　when　they　had　declared　the　purport　of　their　mission。　And　they　left。
Then　Jia　Xu　said　to　Cao　Cao；　〃What　is　your　opinion；　O　Prime　Minister？〃
〃What　is　yours？〃　asked　Cao　Cao。
〃War　allows　deceit；　therefore　pretend　to　agree。　Then　we　can　try　some　means　of　sowing　suspicions　between　Han　Sui　and　Ma　Chao　so　that　we　may　thereby　destroy　both。〃
Cao　Cao　clapped　his　hands　for　very　joy；　saying；　〃That　is　the　best　idea　of　all！　Most　suitable！　You　and　I　agree　in　our　ideas。　I　was　just　thinking　of　that。〃
So　an　answer　was　returned：
〃Let　me　gradually　withdraw　my　soldiers；　and　I　will　give　back　the　land　belonging　to　you　on　the　west　of　Yellow　River。〃
And　at　the　same　time　Cao　Cao　ordered　the　construction　of　a　floating　bridge　to　help　in　the　withdrawal　to　the　east　side。
When　the　reply　arrived；　Ma　Chao　said　to　Han　Sui；　〃Although　he　agrees　to　peace；　yet　he　is　evil　and　crafty。　We　must　remain　prepared　against　his　machinations。　Uncle；　you　and　I　will　take　turns　in　watching　Cao　Cao　and　Xu　Huang　on　alternate　days。　So　shall　we　be　safe　against　his　treachery。〃
They　agreed　and　began　the　regular　alternate　watch。　Soon　Cao　Cao　got　to　know　what　they　were　doing；　and　he　turned　to　Jia　Xu；　saying；　〃I　am　succeeding。〃
〃Who　keeps　the　look…out　on　the　north　bank　tomorrow？〃　asked　Cao　Cao。
〃Han　Sui；〃　replied　someone。
Next　day　Cao　Cao　at　the　head　of　a　large　party　of　his　generals　rode　out　of　the　camp；　and　the　officers　presently　spread　out　right　and　left；　he　himself　remaining　a　solitary　rider　visible　in　the　center。　Han　Sui　did　not　know　that　Cao　Cao　had　e　out。
Presently　Cao　Cao　called　out；　〃Do　any　of　you　soldiers　want　to　see　Cao　Cao？　Here　I　am　quite　alone。　I　have　not　four　eyes　nor　a　couple　of　mouths；　but　I　am　very　knowing。〃
The　soldiers　turned　pale　with　fright。　Then　Cao　Cao　called　up　a　man　and　told　him　to　go　and　see　Han　Sui　and　say；　〃Sir；　the　Prime　Minister　humbly　asks　you　to　e　and　confer　with　him。〃
Thereupon　Han　Sui　went　out；　and　seeing　Cao　Cao　wore　no　armor；　Han　Sui　also　threw　off　his　and　rode　out　clad　in　a　light　robe。　Each　rode　up　to　the　other　till　their　horse's　heads　nearly　touched；　and　there　they　stood　talking。
Said　Cao　Cao；　〃Your　father　and　I　were　granted　filial　degrees　at　the　same　time；　and　I　used　to　treat　him　as　an　uncle。　Moreover；　you　and　I　set　out　to　serve　the　court　at　the　same　time；　too；　and　yet　we　have　not　met　for　years。　How　old　may　you　be　now；　General？〃
〃I　am　forty；〃　replied　Han　Sui。
〃In　those　old　days　in　the　capital；　we　were　both　very　young　and　never　thought　about　middle　age。　If　we　could　only　restore　tranquillity　to　the　state；　that　would　be　a　matter　of　rejoicing。〃
After　that　they　chatted　long　about　old　times；　but　neither　said　a　word　on　military　matters。　They　gossiped　for　a　couple　of　hours　before　they　took　leave　of　each　other。
It　was　not　long　before　someone　told　Ma　Chao　of　this　meeting；　and　he　went　over　to　his　ally　to　ask　about　it。
〃What　was　it　Cao　Cao　came　out　to　discuss　today　？〃　said　Ma　Chao。
〃He　just　recalled　the　old　days　when　we　were　together　in　the　capital。〃
〃Did　he　say　nothing　about　military　matters？〃
〃Not　a　word；　and　I　could　not　talk　about　them　alone。〃
Ma　Chao　went　out　without　a　word；　but　he　felt　suspicious。
When　Cao　Cao　returned　to　his　camp；　he　said　to　Jia　Xu；　〃Do　you　know　why　I　talked　with　him　thus　publicly？〃
〃It　may　be　an　excellent　idea；〃　said　Jia　Xu；　〃but　it　is　not　sufficient　simply　to　estrange　two　people。　I　can　improve　on　it；　and　we　will　make　them　quarrel　and　even　kill　each　other。〃
〃What　is　your　scheme？〃
〃Ma　Chao　is　brave　but　not　very　astute。　You　write　a　letter　with　your　own　hand　to　Han　Sui　himself　and　put　in　it　some　rambling　statements　about　some　harm　that　is　going　to　happen。　Then　blot　it　out　and　write　something　else。　Afterwards　you　will　send　it　to　Han　Sui；　taking　care　that　Ma　Chao　shall　know　all　about　it。　Ma　Chao　will　demand　to　read　the　letter；　and　when　he　sees　that　the　important　part　of　the　letter　has　been　changed；　he　will　think　that　Han　Sui　has　made　the　changes　lest　his　secrets　should　leak　out。　This　will　fit　into　the　private　talk　you　had　with　Han　Sui　the　other　day；　and　the　suspicion　will　grow　until　it　has　brought　about　trouble。　I　can　also　secretly　corrupt　some　of　Han　Sui's　subordinates；　and　get　them　to　widen　the　breach。　Then　we　can　settle　Ma　Chao。〃
〃The　scheme　looks　excellent；〃　said　Cao　Cao。
And　he　wrote　the　letter　as　suggested；　and　then　erased　and　changed　it；　after　which　he　sealed　it　securely　and　sent　it