Ling Tong turned to his rival and bowed low。
〃I could not have supposed you would have rendered me such a service; Sir;〃 said he to Gan Ning。
This episode ended the strife and enmity between the two leaders; who thereafter swore perpetual friendship。
On the other side Cao Cao saw to it that Yue Jings wound was dressed。 Next day he launched an attack against Ruxu along five different lines。 He himself led one army in the center; on the left Zhang Liao and Li Dian led two armies; on the right Xu Huang and Pang De manded the other two。 Each army was ten thousand strong; and they marched to give battle on the river bank。 The crews and fighting troops of the South Lands naval squadron were greatly frightened by the approach of these armies。
〃You have eaten the bread of your prince; and you must give loyal service。 Why fear?〃 said Xu Sheng。
Thereupon he put some hundreds of his best men into small boats; went along the bank; and broke into the legion under Li Dian。 Meanwhile Dong Xi on the ships beat drums and cheered them on。 But a great storm came on; lashing the river to fury; and the waves rolled mountains high。 The larger ships rolled as if they would overturn; and the soldiers of Wu were frightened。 They started to get down into the bulkier cargo…boats to save their lives。 But Dong Xi threatened them with his sword; cutting down some half score of the mutineers。
〃My orders are to hold this point against the enemy;〃 shouted he。 〃We dare not abandon the ships!〃
However; the wind increased; and presently the bold Dong Xi was thrown into the river by the rolling of his ship and was drowned; together with his men。
Xu Sheng dashed hither and thither among Li Dians army; slaying right and left。 Chen Wu; hearing the noise of battle; set out for the river bank。 On his way Chen Wu met Pang De and the legion under him。 A melee ensued。 Then Sun Quan with Zhou Tai and his troops joined in。
The small force from the ships that had attacked Li Dian was now surrounded。 So Sun Quan gave the signal for an onslaught that should rescue them。 This failed; and Sun Quan was himself surrounded in turn and soon in desperate straits。 From a height; Cao Cao saw his difficulties and sent in Xu Chu to cut Sun Quans column in halves so that neither half could aid the other。
When Zhou Tai had cut an alley out of the press and reached the riverside; he looked for his master。 But Sun Quan was nowhere visible; so Zhou Tai dashed once again into the battle。
ing to his own troops; he cried; 〃Where is our lord?〃
They pointed to where the press was most dense。 Zhou Tai stiffened and dashed in。
Presently he reached his lords side and cried out; 〃My lord; follow me; and I will hack a way out!〃
Zhou Tai fought his way out to the river bank。 Then he turned to look; and Sun Quan was not behind him。 So he turned back; forced his way in; and once again found his way to his masters side。
〃I cannot get out。 The arrows are too thick!〃 said Sun Quan。
〃Then go first; my lord; and I will follow!〃
Sun Quan then urged his steed as fast as he could go; and Zhou Tai kept off all pursuit。 Zhou Tai sustained many wounds and the arrows rattled on his helmet; but he got clear at last and Sun Quan was safe。 As they neared the river bank; Lu Meng came up with some of the naval force and escorted Sun Quan down to the ships。
〃I owe my safety to Zhou Tai; who thrice came to my aid;〃 said Sun Quan。 〃But Xu Sheng is still in the thick of the fight; and how can we save him?〃
〃I will go to his rescue;〃 cried Zhou Tai。
Whirling his spear; Zhou Tai again plunged into the battle and presently brought his colleague safely out of the press。 Both were severely wounded。
Lu Meng ordered his troops to keep up a rapid flight of arrows so as to mand the bank; and in this way the two leaders were enabled to get on board the ships。
Now Chen Wu had engaged the legion under Pang De。 Being inferior in force and no aid being forthing; Chen Wu was forced into a valley where the trees and undergrowth were very dense。 He tried to turn; but was caught by the branches; and while so entangled he was killed by Pang De。
When Cao Cao saw that Sun Quan had escaped from the battle to the river bank; he urged his steed forward in pursuit。 He sent flights of arrows toward the fugitives。 By this time Lu Mengs troops had emptied their quivers; and he began to be very anxious。 But just then a fleet of ships sailed up led by Lu Xun; the son…in…law of Sun Ce; who came with one hundred thousand marines and drove back Cao Caos army。 Then he landed to pursue。 He captured many thousands of horses and slew many men; so that Cao Cao was quite defeated and retired。 Then they sought and found the body of Chen Wu among the slain。
Sun Quan was much grieved when he came to know that Chen Wu had been slain and Dong Xi drowned; and wept sore。 Men were sent to seek for Dong Xis body; which at last was found。 Both generals were buried with great honors。
As a repense for Zhou Tais services in Sun Quans rescue; Sun Quan prepared in his honor a great banquet; where Sun Quan himself offered Zhou Tai a goblet of wine and plimented and embraced him while the tears coursed down his cheeks。
〃Twice you saved my life; careless of your own;〃 cried Sun Quan; 〃and you have received many wounds。 It is as if your skin had been engraved and painted。 What sort of a man should I be if I did not treat you as one of my own flesh and blood? Can I regard you; Noble Sir; merely as a unit in my army? You are my meritorious minister。 I share the glory you have won and mine are your joys and sorrows。〃
https://www.du8.org https://www.shuhuangxs.com www.baquge.ccabxsw.net dingdianshu.com bxwx9.net
kenshu.tw pashuba.com quanshu.la
tlxsw.cc qudushu.net zaidudu.org
duyidu.org baquge.cc kenshuge.cc
qushumi.com xepzw.com 3dllc.net