第八十九回

第八十九回 武乡侯四番用计 南蛮王五次遭擒

却说孔明自驾小车，引数百骑前来探路。前有一河，名曰西洱河，水势虽慢，并无一只船筏。孔明令伐木为筏而渡，其木到水皆沉。孔明遂问吕凯，凯曰：“闻西洱河上流有一山，其山多竹，大者数围。可令人伐之，于河上搭起竹桥，以渡军马。”孔明即调三万人入山，伐竹数十万根，顺水放下，于河面狭处，搭起竹桥，阔十馀丈。乃调大军于河北岸一字儿下寨，便以河为壕堑，以浮桥为门，垒土为城；过桥南岸，一字下三个大营，以待蛮兵。

却说孟获引数十万蛮兵，恨怒而来。将近西洱河，孟获引前部一万刀牌獠丁，直扣前寨搦战。孔明头戴纶巾，身披鹤氅，手执羽扇，乘驷马车，左右众将簇拥而出。孔明见孟获身穿犀皮甲，头顶朱红盔，左手挽牌，右手执刀，骑赤毛牛，口中辱骂；手下万馀洞丁，各舞刀牌，往来冲突。孔明急令退回本寨，四面紧闭，不许出战。蛮兵皆裸衣赤身，直到寨门前叫骂。诸将大怒，皆来禀孔明曰：“某等情愿出寨决一死战！”孔明不许。诸将再三欲战，孔明止曰：“蛮方之人，不遵王化，今此一来，狂恶正盛，不可迎也。且宜坚守数日，待其猖獗少懈，吾自有妙计破之。”于是蜀兵坚守数日。

孔明在高阜处探之，窥见蛮兵已多懈怠，乃聚诸将曰：“汝等敢出战否？”众将欣然要出。孔明先唤赵云、魏延入帐，向耳畔低言分付如此如此，二人受了计策先进。却唤王平、马忠入帐，受计去了。又唤马岱分付曰：“吾今弃此三寨，退过河北。吾军一退，汝可便拆浮桥，移于下流，却渡赵云、魏延军马过河来接应。”岱受计而去。又唤张翼曰：“吾军退去，寨中多设灯火。孟获知之，必来追赶，汝却断其后。”张翼受计而退。孔明只教关索护车。众军退去，寨中多设灯火。蛮兵望见，不敢冲突。

次日平明，孟获引大队蛮兵径到蜀寨之时，只见三个大寨，皆无人马，于内弃下粮草车仗数百馀辆。孟优曰：“诸葛弃寨而走，莫非有计否？”孟获曰：“吾料诸葛亮弃辎重而去，必因国中有紧急之事：若非吴侵，定是魏伐。故虚张灯火以为疑兵，弃车仗而去也。可速追之，不可错过。”于是孟获自驱前部，直到西洱河边。望见河北岸上，寨中旗帜整齐如故，灿若云锦，沿河一带，又设锦城。蛮兵哨见，皆不敢进。获谓优曰：“此是诸葛亮惧吾追赶，故就河北岸少住，不二日必走矣。”遂将蛮兵屯于河岸，又使人去山上砍竹为筏，以备渡河，却将敢战之兵，皆移于寨前面。——却不知蜀兵早已入自己之境。

是日，狂风大起。四壁厢火明鼓响，蜀兵杀到。蛮兵獠丁，自相冲突。孟获大惊，急引宗族洞丁杀开条路，径奔旧寨。忽一彪军从寨中杀出，乃是赵云。获慌忙回西洱河，望山僻处而走。又一彪军杀出，乃是马岱。孟获只剩得数十个败残兵，望山谷中而逃。见南、北、西三处尘头火光，因此不敢前进，只得望东奔走。方才转过山口，见一大林之前，数十从人，引一辆小车，车上端坐孔明，呵呵大笑曰：“蛮王孟获！天败至此，吾已等候多时也！”获大怒，回顾左右曰：“吾遭此人诡计，受辱三次，今幸得这里相遇。汝等奋力前去，连人带车砍为粉碎！”数骑蛮兵，猛力向前。孟获当先呐喊，抢到大林之前，趷踏一声，踏了陷坑，一齐塌倒。大林之内，转出魏延，引数百军来，一个个拖出，用索缚定。孔明先到寨中，招安蛮兵并诸甸酋长洞丁——此时大半皆归本乡去了——除死伤外，其馀尽皆归降。孔明以酒肉相待，以好言抚慰，尽令放回。蛮兵皆感叹而去。少顷，张翼解孟优至。孔明诲之曰：“汝兄愚迷，汝当谏之。今被吾擒了四番，有何面目再见人耶！”孟优羞惭满面，伏地告求免死。孔明曰：“吾杀汝不在今日。吾且饶汝性命，劝谕汝兄。”令武士解其绳索，放起孟优。优泣拜而去。

不一时，魏延解孟获至。孔明大怒曰：“你今番又被吾擒了，有何理说！”获曰：“吾今误中诡计，死不瞑目！”孔明叱武士推出斩之。获全无惧色，回顾孔明曰：“若敢再放吾回去，必然报四番之恨！”孔明大笑，令左右去其缚，赐酒压惊，就坐于帐中。孔明问曰：“吾今四次以礼相待，汝尚然不服，何也？”获曰：“吾虽是化外之人，不似丞相专施诡计，吾如何肯服？”孔明曰：“吾再放汝回去，复能战乎？”获曰：“丞相若再拿住吾，吾那时倾心降服，尽献本洞之物犒军，誓不反乱。”

孔明即笑而遣之，获忻然拜谢而去。于是聚得诸洞壮丁数千人，望南迤逦而行。早望见尘头起处，一队兵到，乃是兄弟孟优，重整残兵，来与兄报仇。兄弟二人，抱头相哭，诉说前事。优曰：“我兵屡败，蜀兵屡胜，难以抵当。只可就山阴洞中，退避不出。蜀兵受不过暑气，自然退矣。”获问曰：“何处可避？”优曰：“此去西南有一洞，名曰秃龙洞。洞主朵思大王，与弟甚厚，可投之。”于是孟获先教孟优到秃龙洞，见了朵思大王。朵思慌引洞兵出迎。孟获入洞，礼毕，诉说前事。朵思曰：“大王宽心。若蜀兵到来，令他一人一骑不得还乡，与诸葛亮皆死于此处！”获大喜，问计于朵思。朵思曰：“此洞中止有两条路：东北上一路，就是大王所来之路，地势平坦，土厚水甜，人马可行。若以木石垒断洞口，虽有百万之众，不能进也。西北上有一条路，山险岭恶，道路窄狭，其中虽有小路，多藏毒蛇恶蝎，黄昏时分，烟瘴大起，直至巳、午时方收，惟未、申、酉三时可以往来，水不可饮，人马难行。此处更有四个毒泉：一名哑泉，其水颇甜，人若饮之，则不能言，不过旬日必死；二曰灭泉，此水与汤无异，人若沐浴，则皮肉皆烂，见骨必死；三曰黑泉，其水微清，人若溅之在身，则手足皆黑而死；四曰柔泉，其水如冰，人若饮之，咽喉无暖气，身躯软弱如绵而死。此处虫鸟皆无，惟有汉伏波将军曾到，自此以后，更无一人到此。今垒断东北大路，令大王稳居敝洞。若蜀兵见东路截断，必从西路而入，于路无水，若见此四泉，定然饮水，虽百万之众，皆无归矣。何用刀兵耶！”孟获大喜，以手加额曰：“今日方有容身之地！”又望北指曰：“任诸葛神机妙算，难以施设！四泉之水，足以报败兵之恨也！”自此，孟获、孟优终日与朵思大王筵宴。

却说孔明连日不见孟获兵出，遂传号令教大军离西洱河，望南进发。此时正当六月炎天，其热如火。有后人咏南方苦热诗曰：

山泽欲焦枯，火光覆太虚。不知天地外，暑气更何如！

又有诗曰：

赤帝施权柄，阴云不敢生。云蒸孤鹤喘，海热巨鳌惊。忍舍溪边坐？慵抛竹里行。如何沙塞客，擐甲复长征！

孔明统领大军，正行之际，忽哨马飞报：“孟获退往秃龙洞中不出，将洞口要路垒断，内有兵把守，山恶岭峻，不能前进。”孔明请吕凯问之，凯曰：“某曾闻此洞有条路，实不知详细。”蒋琬曰：“孟获四次遭擒，既已丧胆，安敢再出？况今天气炎热，军马疲乏，征之无益，不如班师回国。”孔明曰：“若如此，正中孟获之计也。吾军一退，彼必乘势追之。今已到此，安有复回之理！”遂令王平领数百军为前部，却教新降蛮兵引路，寻西北小径而入。前到一泉，人马皆渴，争饮此水。王平探有此路，回报孔明。比及到大寨之时，皆不能言，但指口而已。

孔明大惊，知是中毒，遂自驾小车，引数十人前来看时，见一潭清水，深不见底，水气凛凛，军不敢试。孔明下车，登高望之，四壁峰岭，鸟雀不闻，心中大疑，忽望见远远山冈之上，有一古庙。孔明攀藤附葛而到，见一石屋之中，塑一将军端坐，旁有石碑，乃汉伏波将军马援之庙：因平蛮到此，土人立庙祀之。孔明再拜曰：“亮受先帝托孤之重，今承圣旨，到此平蛮。欲待蛮方既平，然后伐魏吞吴，重安汉室。今军士不识地理，误饮毒水，不能出声。万望尊神，念本朝恩义，通灵显圣，护佑三军！”

祈祷已毕，出庙寻土人问之。隐隐望见对山一老叟扶杖而来，形容甚异。孔明请老叟入庙，礼毕，对坐于石上。孔明问曰：“丈者高姓？”老叟曰：“老夫久闻大国丞相隆名，幸得拜见。蛮方之人，多蒙丞相活命，皆感恩不浅。”孔明问泉水之故，老叟答曰：“军所饮水，乃哑泉之水也，饮之难言，数日而死。此泉之外，又有三泉：东南有一泉，其水至冷，人若饮之，咽喉无暖气，身躯软弱而死，名曰柔泉；正南有一泉，人若溅之在身，手足皆黑而死，名曰黑泉；西南有一泉，沸如热汤，人若浴之，皮肉尽脱而死，名曰灭泉。敝处有此四泉，毒气所聚，无药可治。又烟瘴甚起，惟未、申、酉三个时辰可往来，馀者时辰，皆瘴气密布，触之即死。”

孔明曰：“如此则蛮方不可平矣。蛮方不平，安能并吞吴、魏，再兴汉室？有负先帝托孤之重，生不如死也！”老叟曰：“丞相勿忧。老夫指引一处，可以解之。”孔明曰：“老丈有何高见，望乞指教。”老叟曰：“此去正西数里，有一山谷，入内行二十里，有一溪名曰万安溪。上有一高士，号为‘万安隐者’，此人不出溪有数十馀年矣。其草庵后有一泉，名安乐泉。人若中毒，汲其水饮之即愈。有人或生疥癞，或感瘴气，于万安溪内浴之，自然无事。更兼庵前有一等草，名曰‘薤叶芸香’，人若口含一叶，则瘴气不染。丞相可速往求之。”孔明拜谢，问曰：“承丈者如此活命之德，感刻不胜。愿闻高姓？”老叟入庙曰：“吾乃本处山神，奉伏波将军之命，特来指引。”言讫，喝开庙后石壁而入。孔明惊讶不已，再拜庙神，寻旧路上车，回到大寨。

次日，孔明备信香[1]、礼物，引王平及众哑军，连夜望山神所言去处，迤逦而进。入山谷小径，约行二十馀里，但见长松大柏，茂竹奇花，环绕一庄，篱落之中，有数间茅屋，闻得馨香喷鼻。孔明大喜，到庄前扣户，有一小童出。孔明方欲通姓名，早有一人，竹冠草履，白袍皂绦，碧眼黄发，忻然出曰：“来者莫非汉丞相否？”孔明笑曰：“高士何以知之？”隐者曰：“久闻丞相大纛南征，安得不知！”遂邀孔明入草堂。礼毕，分宾主坐定。孔明告曰：“亮受昭烈皇帝托孤之重，今承嗣君圣旨，领大军至此，欲服蛮邦，使归王化。不期孟获潜入洞中，军士误饮哑泉之水。夜来蒙伏波将军显圣，言高士有药泉，可以治之。望乞矜念，赐神水以救众兵残生。”隐者曰：“量老夫山野废人，何劳丞相枉驾。此泉就在庵后。”教取来饮。

于是童子引王平等一起哑军，来到溪边，汲水饮之，随即吐出恶涎，便能言语。童子又引众军到万安溪中沐浴。隐者于庵中进柏子茶、松花菜，以待孔明。隐者告曰：“此间蛮洞多毒蛇恶蝎，柳花飘入溪泉之间，水不可饮。但掘地为泉，汲水饮之方可。”孔明求“薤叶芸香”，隐者令众军尽意采取：“各人口含一叶，自然瘴气不侵。”孔明拜求隐者姓名。隐者笑曰：“某乃孟获之兄孟节是也。”孔明愕然。隐者又曰：“丞相休疑，容伸片言。某一父母所生三人：长即老夫孟节，次孟获，又次孟优。父母皆亡。二弟强恶，不归王化。某屡谏不从，故更名改姓，隐居于此。今辱弟造反，又劳丞相深入不毛之地，如此生受[2]，孟节合该万死，故先于丞相之前请罪。”孔明叹曰：“方信盗跖、下惠[3]之事，今亦有之。”遂与孟节曰：“吾申奏天子，立公为王，可乎？”节曰：“为嫌功名而逃于此，岂复有贪富贵之意！”孔明乃具金帛赠之，孟节坚辞不受。孔明嗟叹不已，拜别而回。后人有诗曰：

高士幽栖独闭关，武侯曾此破诸蛮。至今古木无人境，犹有寒烟锁旧山。

孔明回到大寨之中，令军士掘地取水。掘下二十馀丈，并无滴水，凡掘十馀处，皆是如此，军心惊慌。孔明夜半焚香告天曰：“臣亮不才，仰承大汉之福，受命平蛮。今途中乏水，军马枯渴。倘上天不绝大汉，即赐甘泉！若气运已终，臣亮等愿死于此处！”是夜祝罢，平明视之，皆得满井甘泉。后人有诗曰：

为国平蛮统大兵，心存正道合神明。耿恭拜井甘泉出，诸葛虔诚水夜生。

孔明军马既得甘泉，遂安然由小径直入秃龙洞前下寨。

蛮兵探知，来报孟获曰：“蜀兵不染瘴疫之气，又无枯渴之患，诸泉皆不应。”朵思大王闻知不信，自与孟获来高山望之。只见蜀兵安然无事，大桶小担，搬运水浆，饮马造饭。朵思见之，毛发耸然，回顾孟获曰：“此乃神兵也！”获曰：“吾兄弟二人与蜀兵决一死战，就殒于军前，安肯束手受缚！”朵思曰：“若大王兵败，吾妻子亦休矣。当杀牛宰马，大赏洞丁，不避水火，直冲蜀寨，方可得胜。”

于是大赏蛮兵。正欲起程，忽报洞后迤西银冶洞二十一洞主杨锋引三万兵来助战。孟获大喜曰：“邻兵助我，我必胜矣！”即与朵思大王出洞迎接。杨锋引兵入曰：“吾有精兵三万，皆披铁甲，能飞山越岭，足以敌蜀兵百万。我有五子，皆武艺足备，愿助大王。”锋令五子入拜，皆彪躯虎体，威风抖擞。孟获大喜，遂设席相待杨锋父子。酒至半酣，锋曰：“军中少乐，吾随军有蛮姑，善舞刀牌，以助一笑。”获忻然从之。须臾，数十蛮姑，皆披发跣足，从帐外舞跳而入，群蛮拍手以歌和之。杨锋令二子把盏，二子举杯诣孟获、孟优前。二人接杯方欲饮酒，锋大喝一声，二子早将孟获、孟优执下座来。朵思大王却待要走，已被杨锋擒了。蛮姑横截于帐上，谁敢近前。获曰：“‘兔死狐悲，物伤其类’。吾与汝皆是各洞之主，往日无冤，何故害我？”锋曰：“吾兄弟子侄皆感诸葛丞相活命之恩，无可以报。今汝反叛，何不擒献！”

于是各洞蛮兵，皆走回本乡。杨锋将孟获、孟优、朵思等解赴孔明寨来。孔明令入，杨锋等拜于帐下曰：“某等子侄皆感丞相恩德，故擒孟获、孟优等呈献。”孔明重赏之，令驱孟获入。孔明笑曰：“汝今番心服乎？”获曰：“非汝之能，乃吾洞中之人，自相残害，以致如此。要杀便杀，只是不服！”孔明曰：“汝赚吾入无水之地，更以哑泉、灭泉、黑泉、柔泉如此之毒，吾军无恙，岂非天意乎？汝何如此执迷？”获又曰：“吾祖居银坑山中，有三江之险，重关之固。汝若就彼擒之，吾当子子孙孙，倾心服事。”孔明曰：“吾再放汝回去，重整兵马，与吾共决胜负。如那时擒住，汝再不服，当灭九族。”叱左右去其缚，放起孟获。获再拜而去。孔明又将孟优并朵思大王皆释其缚，赐酒食压惊。二人悚惧，不敢正视，孔明令鞍马送回。正是：深临险地非容易，更展奇谋岂偶然！未知孟获整兵再来，胜负如何，且看下文分解。

[1] 信香——迷信的说法：虔诚地烧香，这香烟就可作为信使，达到神的面前，使神知道烧香人的愿望。

[2] 生受——难为、烦劳的意思。

[3] 盗跖（zhí）、下惠——都是春秋时候的人。旧说相传：二人虽是兄弟，为人却完全不同。下惠，即柳下惠，被目为有名的“贤人”，盗跖则被目为“大盗”。

CHAPTER 89. The Lord of Wuxiang Uses The Fourth Ruse; The King of Mang Is Captured The Fifth Time.

Zhuge Liang's small carriage was escorted by only a few horsemen. Hearing that a sluggish river, the Western River, lay in the way, and having no boat, Zhuge Liang bade the escort cut down some trees and make a raft. They did so, but the raft sank. So Zhuge Liang turned to Lu Kai, who said, “There is close by a mountain covered with bamboos. I have heard of these bamboos, and some are several spans in girth. We can make a bridge of them for the army to cross.”

So thirty thousand soldiers were sent to the mountains, where they cut down many thousands of bamboos, and floated them down river. Then at the narrowest point they made a bridge a hundred spans or so in length. Next the main army was brought down to the river and camped in line along the bank. The camp was protected by a moat, crossed by a floating bridge, and a mud rampart. On the south bank they constructed three large stockades so as to prepare for the coming of the Mang soldiers.

They had not long to wait. Meng Huo was hot with rage and came quickly. As soon as he got near the river, he led out ten thousand fierce warriors, armed with big swords and shield, and challenged the first stockade.

Zhuge Liang went forth in simple state. He wore a silk cap and a crane-white robe and held in his hand a feather fan. He sat in a four-horse carriage, and his generals rode right and left.

The King of the Mang was clad in mail of rhinoceros hide and wore a bright red casque. In his left hand he bore a shield, and his right gripped a sword. He rode a red ox. As soon as he saw his enemies, he opened his mouth and poured forth abuse and insults, while his warriors darted to and fro brandishing their weapons.

Zhuge Liang at once ordered the army to retire within the stockades and bar the gates. The Mangs came close up to the stockade and pranced about naked, shouting in derision.

Within the stockade the Shu generals grew very angry, and they went in a body to their leader to beg that he would withdraw the order to remain on the defensive. But Zhuge Liang would not listen.

Presently he said, “These men are not submissive to the Empire Government and are naturally fierce and turbulent. In that mood we are no match for them. But all we have to do is to remain on guard for a few days till their ferocity has spent itself. Then I have a plan that will overcome them.”

Days passed, and the army of Shu made no move; they only maintained the defensive. Zhuge Liang watched the besiegers from an eminence, and saw the first vigor of their advance give way to careless idleness.

Then Zhuge Liang called together his generals and asked, “Dare you give battle now?”

They all rejoiced at the suggestion; so he called them two by two or one by one and gave them secret orders. Zhao Yun and Wei Yan went in first. Wang Ping and Ma Zhong followed. To Ma Dai he said, “I am going to abandon these stockades and retire north of the river. As soon as we have crossed, you are to cut loose the floating bridge and move it down the stream so that Zhao Yun and Wei Yan may cross.”

To Zhang Yi he said, “You are to remain by the camp and light it up at night—as if it is still occupied. When Meng Huo pursues, then you are to cut off his retreat.”

Last of all, Guan Suo was to escort Zhuge Liang's carriage.

The soldiers marched out of the camp at evening, and the lamps were hung up as usual. The Mangs saw this from a distance and dared not attack. But the next morning at dawn Meng Huo led his troops to the stockades and found all was quiet. He went close up and saw they were all empty and bare; not a soldier was there. Grain and fodder lay about among empty carts; all was in confusion, suggesting hasty departure.

“They have abandoned the camp,” said Meng You. “But this is only a ruse.”

Said Meng Huo, “I think that Zhuge Liang has important news from the capital that has made him leave without his baggage train like this. Either Wu has invaded or Wei has attacked. They left these lamps burning to make us think the camps were occupied, but they ran away leaving everything behind. If we pursue we cannot go wrong.”

So the King urged his army onward, himself heading the leading division. When they reached the Western River bank, they saw on the farther side that the camps were all in order and the banners flying as usual like a brightly tinted cloud of silk. Along the bank stood a wall of cloth. They dared not attack.

Meng Huo said to his brother, “This means that Zhuge Liang fears lest we may pursue. That is only a temporary halt, and they will retire in a couple of days.”

The Mangs camped on the river bank while they sent into the mountains to cut bamboos to make rafts. The boldest of the soldiers were placed in front of the camp till the rafts should be ready to cross. Little did Meng Huo suspect that the army of Shu was already within his borders.

One day was very stormy. Then the Mangs saw great flames spring up around them, and at the same time the rolling of drums heralded an attack. The Mangs, instead of going out to meet the enemy, began to force their way out of the Shu attack. Meng Huo became alarmed and fled with all his clans and dependents. They fought their way through and made a dash for their former camp.

Just as they reached it, there appeared a cohort of the enemy led by Zhao Yun. Meng Huo turned off west and sought refuge in the mountains. But he was fiercely attacked by a cohort under Ma Dai. With a small remnant of followers, he got away into a valley. Soon he saw in the west, north and south clouds of smoke rising and the glow of torches, so that he was forced to halt. However, the east remained clear, and presently he fled in that direction. As he was crossing the mouth of a gully, he noticed a few horsemen outlined against a thick wood and saw they were escorting a small carriage. And in that carriage sat Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang laughed, and said, “So King of the Mangs has got here! How does Heaven make you defeated so? I have waited for you a long time.”

Meng Huo angrily turned to his followers and said, “Thrice have I been the victim of this man's base wiles and have been put to shame. Now chance has sent him across my path, and you must attack him with all your energy. Let us cut him to pieces and those with him.” The Mang horsemen, with Meng Huo shouting to encourage them, pushed forward in hot haste toward the wood. But in a few moments they all stumbled and disappeared into some pits that had been dug in the way. And just then Wei Yan emerged from the wood. One by one the Mangs were pulled out of the pits and bound tight with cords.

Zhuge Liang returned to his camp, where the captors of the King could bring in their prisoner. Zhuge Liang busied himself in soothing the other Mang prisoners. Many of the notables and chiefs of the tributaries had betaken themselves to their own ravines and villages with their followers. Many of those who remained came over and yielded to Shu. They were well fed and assured of safety, and allowed to go to their own. They went off gladly enough.

By and by Zhang Yi brought up the King's brother, Meng You. Zhuge Liang reproached him for his brother's behavior.

“Your brother is a misguided simpleton; you ought to remonstrate with him and persuade him to change his course. Here you are, a captive for the fourth time; are you not ashamed? How can you have the effrontery to look anyone in the face?”

A deep flush of shame passed over Meng You's face, and he threw himself to the earth begging forgiveness.

Zhuge Liang said, “If I put you to death, it shall not be today. This time I pardon you, but you are to talk to your brother.”

So Meng You was loosed from his bonds and allowed to get up. He went away weeping.

Very soon Wei Yan brought up Meng Huo, and to him Zhuge Liang simulated great rage, saying, “What can you say now? You see you are in my hands again.”

“I am again an unfortunate victim,” said Meng Huo. “Once more I have blundered into your net, and now I shall die with no one to close my eyes.”

Zhuge Liang shouted to the lictors to take him away and behead him. Meng Huo never blenched at the sentence, but he turned to his captor and said, “If you freed me only once more, I would wipe out the shame of all four captures.”

Zhuge Liang smiled at the bold reply and bade the lictors loose his bonds, and the attendants served him with wine. Meng Huo was invited to sit in the commander's tent.

Said Zhuge Liang, “Four times you have been treated generously and yet you are still defiant. Why?”

“Though I am what you call a barbarian, I would scorn to employ your vile ruses. And that is why I remain defiant.”

“I have liberated you four times; do you think you can give battle again?”

“If you catch me again I will incline my heart to yield and I will give everything in my ravine to reward your army. I will also take an oath not to cause any further trouble.”

Zhuge Liang smiled, but let him go. The King thanked him and left. As soon as he was set at liberty, Meng Huo got together several thousand of his adherents and went away southward. Before long he fell in with his brother, Meng You, who had got together an army and was on his way to avenge his brother. As soon as they saw each other, the brothers fell upon each other's necks and wept. They related their experiences.

Meng You said, “We cannot stand against the enemy. We have been defeated several times. Now I think we would better go into the mountains and hide in some dark gully where they cannot find us. Those soldiers of Shu will never stand the summer heat; they must retire.”

“Where can we hide?” asked his brother.

“I know a valley away southwest from us called 'Bald Dragon Ravine,' and the King, Duo Si, is a friend of mine. Let us take refuge with him.”

“Very well; go and arrange it,” said Meng Huo.

So Meng You went. When he got there and talked to the chief, King Duo Si lost no time, but came out with his soldiers to welcome Meng Huo, who then entered the valley. After the exchange of salutations, Meng Huo explained his case.

Duo Si said, “O King, rest content. If those men from the Lands of Rivers come here, I will see to it that not one goes home. And Zhuge Liang will meet his death here too.”

Naturally, Meng Huo was pleased; but he wanted to know how his host could feel so secure.

Duo Si said, “In this ravine there are only two roads, the one you came by and another by the northwest. The road you traveled along is level and soft, and the waters are sweet. Humans and horses may both use it. But if we close the mouth of the ravine with a barricade, then no one, however strong, can get in. The other road is precipitous, dangerous, and narrow. The only path is beset with venomous serpents and scorpions, and as evening comes on there are malarial exhalations which are dangerous till past noon the next day. The road is only practicable between two watches before sunset. Then the water is undrinkable. The road is very difficult.

“Then again there are four streams actually poisonous. One is called 'The Dumb Spring.' Its water is pleasant to the palate, but it makes people dumb and they die in a few days. A second fountain is called 'The Spring of Destruction' and is hot. But if a person bathes therein, his flesh rots till his bones protrude and he dies. The third is 'The Black Spring.' Its waters are greenish. If it be sprinkled on a person's body, his limbs turn black and presently he dies. The fourth is 'The Spring of Weak Water,' ice cold. If a person drink of this water his breath is chilled, he becomes weak as a thread and soon dies. Neither birds nor insects are found in this region, and no one but the Han General Ma Yuan, who was styled General Who Quells the Waves for this exploit, has ever passed. Now the northeast road shall be blocked, and you may hide here perfectly safe from those troops of Shu, for, finding that way blocked, they will try the other road, which is waterless save for the four deadly springs. No matter how many they be, they will perish, and we need no weapons.”

“Now indeed I have found a place to live in,” cried Meng Huo, striking his forehead. Then looking to the north he said, “Even Zhuge Liang's wonderful cunning will be of no avail. The four springs alone will defeat him and avenge my army.”

The two brothers settled down comfortably as guests of King Duo Si, with whom they spent the days in feasting.

In the meantime, as the Mangs did not appear, Zhuge Liang gave orders to leave the Western River and push south. It was then the sixth month, and blazing hot. A poet sang about the bitter heat of the south:

The hills are sere, the valleys dry,

A raging heat fills all the sky,

Throughout the whole wide universe

No spot exists where heat is worse.

Another poem runs:

The glowing sun darts out fierce rays.

No cloud gives shelter from the blaze,

In parching heat there pants a crane,

The whale swims through the hissing main.

The brook's cool margin now I love,

Or idle stroll through bamboo grove.

I would not march to deserts far

In leathern jerkin donned for war.

Just at the moment of setting out southward, the spies brought news of Meng Huo's retreat into the Bald Dragon Ravine and the barricading of one entrance. They also said, “The valley is garrisoned, the hills are precipitous and even impassable.”

So Zhuge Liang called in Lu Kai and questioned him, but he did not know exactly the conditions.

Then out spoke Jiang Wan, saying, “Meng Huo's repeated captures have broken his spirit so that he dare not take the field again. Our soldiers are exhausted with this intense heat, and little is to be gained by prolonging the campaign. The best move would be to return to our own country.”

“If we do this, we shall fall victims to Meng Huo's scheme,” said Zhuge Liang. “If we retreated, he would certainly follow. Beside, having advanced so far, it would be fruitless to turn back now.”

Wang Ping was sent on with the advanced guard and some of the Mangs as guides to seek an entrance on the northwest. They found the road and came to the first spring—the Dumb Spring—, of which the thirsty men and horses drank freely.

Wang Ping returned to report his success, but by the time he reached camp, he and all his soldiers were speechless. They could only point to their mouths. Zhuge Liang knew they had been poisoned, and was alarmed. He went forward in his light chariot to find out the cause. He came to the spring. The water was very deep and dark green. A mass of vapor hung about the surface rising and falling. They would not touch the water. Zhuge Liang went up the hills to look around, but could see nothing except a rampart of mountains. A deep silence hung over all, unbroken by the cry even of a bird. He was perplexed.

Presently he noticed an old temple away up among the crags. By the aid of the lianas and creepers he managed to clamber up, and in a chamber hewn out of the rock he saw the figure of an officer. Beside it was a tablet saying the temple was dedicated to Ma Yuan, the famous general who had preceded him in that country. The natives had erected it to sacrifice to the leader who had headed the campaign against the Mangs. 1

Zhuge Liang, much impressed, bowed before the image of the great leader, and said, “Your humble servant received a sacred trust, the protection of the son of the First Ruler. That son, the present Emperor, sent him here to subdue the Mangs that the land might be free from peril when he decided to attack Wei and take possession of Wu and thereby restore the glory of the Hans. But the soldiers are ignorant of the country, and some of them have drunk of a poisonous spring so that they have become dumb. Your servant earnestly prays your honored spirit, out of regard for the kindness and justice of the present Emperor, to reveal your spiritual character and manifest your holiness by safeguarding and assisting the army.” Having prayed thus, Zhuge Liang left the temple. While seeking some native whom he might question, he saw in the distance, on a hill opposite, an aged man leaning on a staff. He approached, and as he drew nearer, Zhuge Liang noted his extraordinary appearance. When he had reached the temple, Zhuge Liang asked the venerable visitor to walk in. After the salutations, the old man sat on the stones, and Zhuge Liang opened the conversation with the usual questions.

The old gentleman replied, “Sir Minister, I know you well by repute, and am happy to meet you. Many of the Mangs owe their lives to you, and all have been deeply impressed by your kindness.”

Then Zhuge Liang returned to the matter nearest his heart, the mystery of the spring.

The old man told him, “That is the Dumb Spring that your soldiers have drunk, and they will die in a few days. Besides that, there are other three poisonous streams called Spring of Destruction, Black Spring, and Spring of Weak Water. All miasma gathers there in the four streams, and it only vaporizes during the two watch before sunset.”

“In short, the Mangs cannot be conquered,” said Zhuge Liang when the old man had finished. “And Wu cannot be repressed, nor Wei overcome. And the Hans cannot be restored. So, I fail in the task set me by my Prince. Wish that I might die?”

“Be not so cast down, O Minister,” said the aged one. “I can lead you to a place where you may counteract all this.”

“I would ask for your instruction, Venerable One,” said Zhuge Liang. “What exalted advice have you to confer upon me? I hope you will instruct me.”

“West of this, not far off, is a valley, and seven miles from its entrance is a stream called the 'Spring of Eternal Peace,' near which there lives a recluse known as the Hermit of the Stream. He has not left the valley these twenty years. Behind his hut there gushes out a spring of water, called the 'Spring of Peace and Joy.' This is the antidote to your poison. Bathing in its waters is a cure for skin diseases and for malaria. Moreover, near the hut grows an herb called the 'garlic-leaved fragrance.' Chewing a leaf of this safeguards one from malaria. You can do no better than go to the hut of the recluse forthwith and get these remedies.”

Zhuge Liang humbly thanked his aged counselor, and said, “Venerable Sir, I am profoundly affected by your merciful kindness and compassion. May I ask again by what name may call you?”

The old man rose and entered the temple, saying, “I am the Spirit of this mountain, sent by Ma Yuan to guide you.”

As he said this, he shouted at the solid rock behind the temple, and it opened of itself and let him in.

Zhuge Liang's astonishment was beyond words. He made another obeisance to the Spirit of the temple and went down by the way he had come. Then he returned to his camp.

Next day, bearing incense and gifts, Wang Ping and his stricken men went west to the spot which the old man had indicated. They luckily found the valley and followed its narrow road till they came to a small, farm-like enclosure, where tall pines and lofty cypresses, luxuriant bamboos, and gorgeous flowers sheltered a few simple huts. An exquisite perfume pervaded the whole place.

Zhuge Liang rejoiced to recognize the spot and at once knocked at the door. A lad answered his knock, and Zhuge Liang was telling his name when the host came out quickly, saying, “Surely my visitor is the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty?”

Zhuge Liang saw at the door a man with a bamboo comb holding back his hair, grass shoes on his feet, and a robe of white girded in by a black girdle. He had green eyes and yellowed hair.

“Great Scholar, how did you know who I was?” said Zhuge Liang.

“How could I not have heard of your expedition to the south?”

He invited Zhuge Liang to enter, and when they had seated themselves in their relative positions as host and guest, Zhuge Liang said, “My former Prince, the First Ruler, confided to me the care of his son and successor. That son, now Emperor, gave me a command to lead an army to this country, get the Mangs on our side and spread our culture among them. But now to my disappointment Meng Huo, the King, has hidden himself in the Bald Dragon Ravine, and some of my soldiers on the way to seek him drank of a certain fountain and are dumb. But last evening the former leader of an expedition, Ma Yuan, manifested his sacred presence and told me that you, Exalted Sir, had a remedy for this evil, and I pray you of your pity to give me of the potent fluid whereby my soldiers' lives may be saved.”

The recluse replied, “I am only a worthless old man of the wild woods and unworthy of the visit of such as you, O Minister. The water you desire flows out at the back of my cottage and you may take what you will of it.”

The serving lad then showed Wang Ping and his dumb companions to the Spring of Peace and Joy, and he dipped up the waters for them to drink. As soon as they had drunk, they coughed up some poisoned mucus and could speak. The lad also led the soldiers to the Spring of Eternal Peace where they could bathe.

In the cottage the recluse regaled Zhuge Liang with tea made of cypress seeds and a conserve of pine flowers. He also told his guest, saying, “In this region, the lands are full of serpents and scorpions, and the lily flowers blown into the springs by the wind make them unfit to drink. However, if you dig wells, you will find good water.”

Then Zhuge Liang begged some of the garlic-leaved herb as an antidote against malaria. The recluse said the soldiers could pluck as much as they wanted. And so every one put a leaf in his mouth and thus became malaria-proof.

Zhuge Liang, with a low bow then begged to be told the name of his benefactor.

“I am Meng Huo's eldest brother,” said the recluse, smiling. “My name is Meng Jie.”

Zhuge Liang started.

“Do not be afraid,” said the recluse. “Let me explain. We were three brothers of the same parents, the eldest being myself. Our parents are both dead. My brother Meng Huo, being headstrong and vicious, has never been amenable to culture. I have talked to him many times, but he kept his own course. Finally, under an assumed name, I retired to this spot. I am ashamed for my brother's rebellion, which has put you, O Minister, to the trouble of making this expedition into a barren country, but it has given me the privilege of seeing you. For my responsibility in this I deserve to die a thousand times, as I own to your face, and I beg your pardon.”

Zhuge Liang sighed, saying, “Now I believe that story of the robber Liu Zhi and the noble Liu Xiahui; this is the same thing over again. People renowned for villainy and virtue may come from the same stock.” Then he said to his host, “Would you wish me to represent your merits to the Emperor and get you created a king?”

“How can you think I desire honors or wealth when I am here because of my contempt for all such things?”

Zhuge Liang then wished to make him certain presents, but the recluse would have none of them.

So taking leave of his host, Zhuge Liang went back to his camp.

In the southern expedition when the Mangs were subdued,

Zhuge Liang found a high-born recluse in a shady solitude.

Up till then the gloomy forests were thought destitute of men,

That no curling smoke wreath ever floated upwards from the glen.

As soon as Zhuge Liang reached camp, he set the soldiers digging for water. They dug to a great depth but found none; nor were they more successful when they tried other places. They were very discouraged.

Then Zhuge Liang in the depths of the night burned incense and prayed to God: “Unworthy as is thy servant Zhuge Liang, he has received favor from the Great Hans and now has been ordered to subdue the Mangs. Alas! Now our water is spent and my soldiers and animals are parched with thirst. If Thy will be to preserve the line of Han, then give, I beseech Thee, sweet water; but if their course is run, then may Thy servant and those with him die in this place.”

The morning after this prayer the wells were full of sweet water.

The Mangs must be conquered; Zhuge Liang led a great array,

Though his skill was superhuman, yet he held the righteous way;

As the wells gave forth sweet water when Geng Gong's head bowed full low,

So the reverent prayers of Zhuge Liang made the lower springs to flow.

The soldiers' spirits revived with the supply of water, and the army soon advanced by hill paths to the Valley of the Bald Dragon, where they camped. When Meng Huo heard the news, he was greatly taken aback.

“These troops do not appear to have suffered either thirst or fever,” said he. “Our springs have lost their power.”

King Duo Si heard it, but doubted. He and Meng Huo ascended into a high hill whence they could see their enemies. They saw no signs of illness or distress; all went on calmly and quietly in the camps, water carrying and cooking, eating and attending to the cattle. Duo Si's hair stood on end as he looked at them.

“These are not human soldiers,” said he, shivering. “They must be sent from Heaven.”

“Our two brothers will fight one fierce battle with these troops of Shu and die therein,” said Meng Huo, “We cannot wait calmly to be put into bonds.”

“But, O King, if your army should be beaten, my whole family will also perish. Let us encourage the people of the ravines. Let us kill bullocks and slaughter horses to feed them, and urge them to go through fire and water to rush right up to the camp of the enemy and seize upon victory.”

So there was great feasting before the Mangs took the field. Just as this was going on, there arrived one Yang Feng, King of twenty-one ravines in the west, and he led thirty thousand troops. Meng Huo rejoiced exceedingly at this unexpected addition to his army and felt sure of victory. So he and Duo Si went out of their own valley to welcome Yang Feng, who said, “I have with me thirty thousand troops in iron mail, brave and intrepid warriors, who can fly over mountains and bound across the peaks; they of themselves are a match for the enemy even if the enemy numbered a hundred legions. And, moreover, my five sons, all trained in arms, are with me, all to help you, O Kings.”

The five sons were brought in and presented. They were handsome young fellows, bold and martial looking. Father and sons were entertained at a banquet. Halfway through the feast Yang Feng proposed a diversion.

“There is but scanty amusement in the field,” said Yang Feng, “and so I have brought along some native singing girls who have been taught fencing and such things. If you care for it, they might give an exhibition.”

The feasters hailed the suggestion with joy, and soon thirty maidens came to the front of the tent. Their hair hung about their shoulders, and they were barefooted. They danced and skipped and went through their performance outside. The guests inside clapped their hands and applauded their skill, and the soldiers joined in the choruses.

Presently, at a signal from their father, two of Yang Feng's sons bore two goblets to Meng Huo and Meng You. Meng Huo and Meng You took the cups and were raising them to their lips when Yang Feng shouted a single word of command, and, instantly, the cupbearers had the two brothers out of their seats and helpless in their hands. At this, Duo Si jumped up to run away, but Yang Feng gripped him, and he was a prisoner too. The Mang maidens ranged themselves in a line along the front of the tent so that none dared approach.

“When the hare dies the fox mourns,” said Meng Huo. “One sympathizes with one's own as a rule. We are both chiefs and have been friends. I know not why you should injure me.”

“I had to repay Zhuge Liang the Minister for his compassion on me and my people, and there was no way till you rebelled. Why should I not offer up a rebel in propitiation?”

Leaving Meng Huo, Meng You, and Duo Si in the hands of Yang Feng, the Mang warriors dispersed, each man returning to his own valley.

Yang Feng then took the prisoners to the camp of Shu, where he bowed at the tent door, saying, “I and my sons and the sons of my brother are grateful to you for much kindness, wherefore we bring to you as an offering the persons of these rebels.”

Zhuge Liang rewarded Yang Feng and bade them bring forward Meng Huo.

“This time are you prepared to yield?” said the Prime Minister.

“It is not your ability, but the treachery of my own people that has brought me to this. If you wish to slay, slay; but I will not yield.”

“You know you were the cause of my army entering into a waterless land, where there were those four evil streams, and yet my soldiers were not poisoned and came to no harm. Does it not seem to you like evidence of a superior protecting power? Why will you follow this misguided road and always be obstinate?”

Meng Huo replied, “My fathers have long held the Silver Pit Hills, and the three rivers and the two forests are their ramparts. If you can take that stronghold, then will I and my heirs for ever acknowledge your power and yield.” “I am going to liberate you once more,” said Zhuge Liang, “and you may put your army in order if you will and fight a decisive battle. But after that, if you are my prisoner and are still refractory and unsubmissive, I shall have to exterminate your whole family.”

Zhuge Liang ordered the lictors to loose the prisoner's bonds and let him go. After he had gone, the other two, Meng You and Duo Si, were led in and they also received their liberty. They were given wine and food. but they were confused and could not look Zhuge Liang in the face. They were given horses to travel on.

The way has been long and now danger is near,

But faith in their leader banishes fear.

The next chapter will tell how Meng Huo reorganized his army and whose the victory was.