波波小说

波波小说>三国演义英文版 > 第45部分(第1页)

第45部分(第1页)

Cao Cao laid hold of the sword by his side and made to take his own life。 All hastened to prevent him。

Guo Jia said; 〃In ancient days; the days of the Spring and Autumn history; the laws were not applied to those of the most important。 You are the supreme leader of a mighty army and must not wound yourself。〃

Cao Cao pondered for a long time。 At last he said; 〃Since there exists the reason just quoted; I may perhaps escape the death penalty。〃

Then with his sword he cut off his hair and threw it on the ground; saying; 〃I cut off the hair as touching the head。〃

Then he sent messengers to exhibit the hair throughout the whole army; saying; 〃The Prime Minister; having trodden down some corn; ought to have lost his head by the terms of the order; now here is his hair cut off as an attack on the head。〃

This deed was a stimulus to discipline all through the army so that not a person dared be disobedient。 A poet wrote:

A myriad soldiers march along and all are brave and bold;

And their myriad inclinations by one leader are controlled。

That crafty leader shore his locks when forfeit was his head;

O full of guile were thou; Cao Cao; as everyone has said。

On the first news of the approach of Cao Cao with an army; Zhang Xiu wrote to Liu Biao for help。 Then Zhang Xiu led out his troops; with his two generals; Lei Xu and Zhang Xian。

When the array was plete Zhang Xiu took his station in front and pointing at Cao Cao railed at him; saying; 〃O false and pretended supporter of benevolence and justice! O shameless one! You are just a beast of the forest; and absolutely devoid of humanity。〃

This annoyed Cao Cao who sent out Xu Chu against the insulter。 Zhang Xian came to meet him and fell in the third bout。 Thence Zhang Xius troops fled and were pursued to the very walls of Nanyang; only managing to get within just before the pursuit came up。 The city was then closely besieged。

Seeing the moat was so wide and deep that approach to the wall would be difficult; Cao Caos manders began to fill up the ditch with earth。 Then with sand bags; brushwood; and bundles of grass they built a great mound near the wall and on this erected steps so that they could look over into the city。

Cao Cao rode round the city closely inspecting the defenses。 Three days later he issued an order to make a mound of earth and brushwood at the northwest corner; as he would mount the walls at that point。 He was observed from within the city by Jia Xu。

Jia Xu went to Zhang Xiu and said; 〃I know what Cao Cao intends; and I can defeat him by a countermove。〃

Even amongst the very foremost

There is one who leads the way;

Someone sees through your devices;

Be as crafty as ye may。

What the counter…move was will be told in the next chapter。

Main Next to Chapter 18 》》

Romance of Three Kingdoms … by Luo Guanzhong … Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Giving Counsels; Jia Xu Directs A Great Victory;

Braving Battlefield; Xiahou Dun Loses An Eye。

Jia Xu; as he had guessed the enemys intention; had also devised a countermove。 So he went to his chief and said; 〃I saw Cao Cao very carefully reconnoitering round about the city。 He certainly noticed that the southeast corner of the wall had been lately restored with mud bricks of a different kind; and that the fencing barrier is badly out of repair。 He will try to effect an entrance there。 Wherefore he is making a feint attack at the opposite point。 He is piling up straw and making ostentatious preparations whereby to cajole us into withdrawing from the real point of attack to defend the northwest。 His troops will scale the walls in the darkness and try to enter at the southeast。〃

〃Supposing your surmise correct; what do you advise?〃 asked Zhang Xiu。

〃The countermove is plain。 You issue an order for our best and bravest soldiers to fill their bellies; to take only the lightest outfit and conceal themselves in the houses near the southeast corner。 Then disguise the townspeople as soldiers and send them to pretend to defend the northwest。 Tonight we will let the enemy climb up the walls and enter the city and; once they are fairly within; give the signal and the concealed soldiers will rush out upon them。 We may even capture Cao Cao himself。〃

The stratagem was decided upon。

Soon the scouts told Cao Cao: 〃The defenders of the city have moved to the northwest where noisy preparations for defense are going on。 The opposite corner is left undefended。〃

〃They have fallen into my trap!〃 said Cao Cao gleefully。

He ordered his troops to prepare shovels and hooks and all the gear needed for scaling walls; and all day they kept up the attack on the northwest angle。

But at the second watch they dispatched the veterans to the opposite corner; where they climbed the wall; broke up the fencing barrier; and got into the city apparently without disturbing any of the guards。 There was no sign of life anywhere as they entered。 But just as they were leaving the wall; suddenly a bomb exploded and they found themselves in an ambush。 They turned to retire; but Zhang Xiu immediately fell on the rear and began a slaughter。 Cao Caos troops were totally defeated and fled out of the gate into the country。 Zhang Xiu kept up the pursuit till daybreak; when he retired into the city again。

Cao Cao then rallied his army and mustered his soldiers。 He had lost fifty thousand and much baggage; while two of his generals; Lu Qian and Yu Jin were wounded。

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