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第213部分(第1页)

Meng Huo affected indifference。

〃This sort of fellow is not worth talking about;〃 said he。

He sent General Mangya Chang with three thousands troops to recapture the gorge and reopen the grain road。

When Ma Dai saw the Mang soldiers approaching; he placed two thousand troops in front of the hills and drew up the troops in formal array。 Then Mangya Chang rode out to give battle。 This was but a small engagement; as the general of the tribespeople fell at the first stroke of Ma Dais sword。 The Mangs ran away at once。

They returned to the Kings camp and told him what had happened。 Whereupon he called up all his generals and asked for another to go up against Ma Dai。

〃I will go;〃 cried Dongtu Na。

The King gave him three thousand troops。 After he had gone; Meng Huo thought it would be wise to keep others from crossing the river。 So he sent a force of three thousand under Ahui Nan to guard Shakou。

Dongtu Na duly arrived at the gorge and made a camp。 Ma Dai came out to meet him。 Among the soldiers in his cohort were some who recognized the leader of the Mangs and told Ma Dai certain things about how he had been captured and liberated。

So Ma Dai galloped toward him; shouting; 〃O you ingrate! How could you forget the debt to the Prime Minister? Have you known no shame?〃

Dongtu Na was very greatly ashamed and turned red in the face; and turned his horse before striking a blow。 Ma Dai followed and fell on; slaying many of the Mangs。 Then both sides withdrew。

Dongtu Na went back and told the King that Ma Dai was too strong for him。

But Meng Huo was angry; and cried; 〃You are a traitor! I know Zhuge Liang was good to you; and that is why you would not fight。〃

Meng Huo ordered Dongtu Na out to execution。 However; the notables and chiefs interceded; and the death penalty was remitted; but the unhappy leader was severely beaten; one hundred strokes with the heavy staff。

The chiefs were mostly on the side of the beaten general and against the Kings policy。

They went to the tent of Dongtu Na and said; 〃Though we live in the Mang country; we have never had any thoughts of rebellion against the Imperial Government; nor has the Middle Kingdom ever encroached upon our land。 We must own that Meng Huos superior power forced us into this rising; and we could not help ourselves。 Zhuge Liang is too clever for us; and no one can guess what he may do。 Even Cao Cao and Sun Quan fear him; how much more must we? Moreover; we have received kindness at his hands and owe him our lives。 We ought to show our gratitude。 Now let us at all risks slay this Meng Huo and submit to Zhuge Liang so that our people may not suffer。〃

Dongtu Na said; 〃I do not know your inner sentiments。〃

At this; all those who had been prisoners and released cried with one voice; 〃We desire to go to Meng Huo。〃

Thereupon Dongtu Na took in his hand a sharp sword; placed himself at the head of more than a hundred malcontents; and rushed into the great camp。 At that moment Meng Huo was; as usual; intoxicated and lay in his tent。 The mutineers rushed in。 They found two generals on guard。

〃You also received kindness from Zhuge Liang and ought to repay it;〃 cried Dongtu Na。

They replied; 〃You do not have to slay him。 Let us carry him a prisoner to the Prime Minister。〃

So they bound the King securely; took him down to the river; and crossed in a boat to the northern bank。 There they halted; while they sent a messenger to Zhuge Liang。

Now Zhuge Liang knew what had been happening; and he had issued orders for every camp to prepare their weapons。 All being ready; he told the chiefs to bring up their prisoner; and bade the others return to their camps。 Dongtu Na went first and told the matter to Zhuge Liang; who praised his zeal and gave him presents。 Then he retired with the chiefs; and the executioners brought in Meng Huo。

〃You said once before that if you were captured again; you would give in;〃 said Zhuge Liang; smiling。 〃Now will you yield?〃

〃This capture is not your work;〃 replied Meng Huo。 〃It is the work of these minions of mine who want to hurt me。 I will not yield on this。〃

〃If I free you again; what then?〃

〃I am a Mang; and so I am not wholly ignorant of war。 If you; O Minister; let me return to my ravines; I will muster another army and fight a decisive battle with you。 If you capture me again; then I will incline my heart and own myself beaten and yield。 I will not go back on my promise again。〃

〃If you refuse to yield next time you are captured; I shall hardly pardon you。〃

At Zhuge Liangs orders the cords were loosed and refreshments were brought for the prisoner。

〃Remember;〃 said Zhuge Liang; 〃I have never failed yet。 I have never failed to win a battle or to take a city I have assaulted。 Why do you Mangs not yield?〃

Meng Huo only nodded his head; he said nothing。 After the wine; Zhuge Liang and Meng Huo rode round the camps together; and the King saw all the arrangements and the piles of stores and heaps of weapons。

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