Read Online Romance of the Three Kingdoms II by Lo Kuan-Chung - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Lo Kuan-Chung
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the bridge, K'ung-ming halted and pointed to Chang Jen, saying, "Dare you withstand me and not surrender when Ts'ao Ts'ao's hundred legions fled at my name?"
But the enemy leader was rather occupied with inspecting the disorderly lot of soldiers he saw in front, all standing anyhow and not drawn up into "fives" at all. With a cynical smile, he said, "People talk of Chuko Liang's superhuman military genius; I say his reputation is false."
With that he whirled his spear about his head and he dashed forward with all his men. As he came, K'ung-ming left his carriage, mounted a horse and retired to the far side of the bridge. Chang impetuously pursued and rushed over the Bridge of the Golden Goose. It was only when he had reached the other side that he saw a body of soldiers on either hand. Then he knew that he had been led into a trap.
As soon as he had got across the bridge the two bodies of soldiers came to the attack. Chang turned to re-cross to the north, but Chao Yun had done his work and the bridge was in ruins. He made to turn away north, but Chaos men stopped the way. So he had to turn southward and followed the course of the river. He presently reached the place where grew the reeds and sedges. Out came Wei and his company of spearmen, who attacked fiercely while Huang, with his swordsmen, houghed the horses. Men and horses were soon lying on the ground. The few survivors were quickly made prisoners and bound with cords.
No footman escaped. But a few lucky horsemen followed Chang and got away to the hills. There they met Chang Fei, who fell upon them with a mighty roar, scattered the few men and captured the leader. Seeing Chang Jen a prisoner, his second in command turned toward Chao Yun and surrendered. Victorious, they returned to camp. Yuan-te rewarded Cho Ying.
When the leader Chang Jen was led in by Chang Fei, K'ung-ming was seated beside his lord.
"Why have you held out so long after all the other captains of Shu have yielded?" said Yuan-te.
"Can a loyal servant take a second master?" cried Chang fiercely, his eyes glaring with hate.
"You do not know the times; submission means life."
"I might submit today, but it would not endure. I should repent it. You had better slay me."
Yuan-te was inclined to mercy, but the prisoner was irreconcilable and kept up a stream of furious abuse. So at last the order was given for his execution, thus giving him a right to fame.
A poem says:—
No second lord the heroic servant knows,
The way of death Chang Jen contented goes.
Ciear shines his fame as doth the heavenly moon
That nightly lights the ramparts of Lo Town.
Yuan-te grieved for him although he had been an enemy, for he was a brave man. He was given honourable burial, sepulture beside the Bridge of the Golden Goose, where all the passers-by would be reminded of his loyalty.
Next day the army moved on the Loch'eng, Yen Yen and the other captains who had submitted leading the way. At the gate they hailed the wardens and called upon them to surrender, whereby the city should be saved from utter destruction. From the wall, Liu Kuei abused the treacherous Yen and took his bow to shoot, but just as he was fitting the arrow to the string another man cut him down. Soon the gates were thrown open and the city had yielded.
As Yuan-te entered the city by one gate, Liu Hsun, who had shared the command of the city, escaped by another gate and set off for Ch'engtu.
Yuan-te put forth proclamations to allay the fears of the inhabitants of the city. He enquired who had been on his side in cutting down Liu Kuei and was told it was one Chang I, of Wuyang. He and all who had helped in the capture were amply rewarded.
"Our next city is Ch'engtu." said K'ung-ming. "However, in the meantime there may be some trouble in pacifying the outlying districts, and hence it will be well for you to send Chao Yun and Chang Fei, with a certain number of those who have joined us, into the country around to reassure the people and to repress
But the enemy leader was rather occupied with inspecting the disorderly lot of soldiers he saw in front, all standing anyhow and not drawn up into "fives" at all. With a cynical smile, he said, "People talk of Chuko Liang's superhuman military genius; I say his reputation is false."
With that he whirled his spear about his head and he dashed forward with all his men. As he came, K'ung-ming left his carriage, mounted a horse and retired to the far side of the bridge. Chang impetuously pursued and rushed over the Bridge of the Golden Goose. It was only when he had reached the other side that he saw a body of soldiers on either hand. Then he knew that he had been led into a trap.
As soon as he had got across the bridge the two bodies of soldiers came to the attack. Chang turned to re-cross to the north, but Chao Yun had done his work and the bridge was in ruins. He made to turn away north, but Chaos men stopped the way. So he had to turn southward and followed the course of the river. He presently reached the place where grew the reeds and sedges. Out came Wei and his company of spearmen, who attacked fiercely while Huang, with his swordsmen, houghed the horses. Men and horses were soon lying on the ground. The few survivors were quickly made prisoners and bound with cords.
No footman escaped. But a few lucky horsemen followed Chang and got away to the hills. There they met Chang Fei, who fell upon them with a mighty roar, scattered the few men and captured the leader. Seeing Chang Jen a prisoner, his second in command turned toward Chao Yun and surrendered. Victorious, they returned to camp. Yuan-te rewarded Cho Ying.
When the leader Chang Jen was led in by Chang Fei, K'ung-ming was seated beside his lord.
"Why have you held out so long after all the other captains of Shu have yielded?" said Yuan-te.
"Can a loyal servant take a second master?" cried Chang fiercely, his eyes glaring with hate.
"You do not know the times; submission means life."
"I might submit today, but it would not endure. I should repent it. You had better slay me."
Yuan-te was inclined to mercy, but the prisoner was irreconcilable and kept up a stream of furious abuse. So at last the order was given for his execution, thus giving him a right to fame.
A poem says:—
No second lord the heroic servant knows,
The way of death Chang Jen contented goes.
Ciear shines his fame as doth the heavenly moon
That nightly lights the ramparts of Lo Town.
Yuan-te grieved for him although he had been an enemy, for he was a brave man. He was given honourable burial, sepulture beside the Bridge of the Golden Goose, where all the passers-by would be reminded of his loyalty.
Next day the army moved on the Loch'eng, Yen Yen and the other captains who had submitted leading the way. At the gate they hailed the wardens and called upon them to surrender, whereby the city should be saved from utter destruction. From the wall, Liu Kuei abused the treacherous Yen and took his bow to shoot, but just as he was fitting the arrow to the string another man cut him down. Soon the gates were thrown open and the city had yielded.
As Yuan-te entered the city by one gate, Liu Hsun, who had shared the command of the city, escaped by another gate and set off for Ch'engtu.
Yuan-te put forth proclamations to allay the fears of the inhabitants of the city. He enquired who had been on his side in cutting down Liu Kuei and was told it was one Chang I, of Wuyang. He and all who had helped in the capture were amply rewarded.
"Our next city is Ch'engtu." said K'ung-ming. "However, in the meantime there may be some trouble in pacifying the outlying districts, and hence it will be well for you to send Chao Yun and Chang Fei, with a certain number of those who have joined us, into the country around to reassure the people and to repress
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