第212部分(第1/7 页)

Meng　Huo　hastily　changed　his　route　to　go　deeper　into　the　mountains；　but　Zhao　Yun's　soldiers　spread　around；　and　the　Mangs　could　not　make　a　stand。　Here　many　were　captured。　Meng　Huo　and　a　few　horsemen　got　away　into　a　valley；　which；　however；　soon　became　too　narrow　for　the　horses　to　advance。　Meng　Huo　then　left　his　horse　and　crawled　up　the　mountains；　but　very　soon　he　fell　upon　Wei　Yan；　who　had　been　sent　with　five　hundred　troops　to　lie　in　wait　in　that　very　valley。　Meng　Huo　tried　to　struggle　but　soon　was　captured。

The　King　and　his　followers　were　taken　to　the　main　camp；　where　Zhuge　Liang　was　waiting　with　wine　and　meat　ready　for　the　captives。　But　his　tent　was　now　guarded　by　soldiers　all　well　armed　with　snow…glittering　weapons；　beside　the　lictors　bearing　the　golden　axes；　a　present　from　the　Emperor；　and　other　insignia　of　rank。　The　feather…hatted　drummers　and　clarion　players　were　in　front　and　behind；　and　the　Imperial　Guards　were　extended　on　both　sides。　The　whole　was　very　imposing　and　awe…inspiring。

Zhuge　Liang　was　seated　at　the　top　of　it　all　and　watched　the　captives　as　they　came　forward　in　crowds。　When　they　were　all　assembled；　he　ordered　their　bonds　to　be　loosed；　and　then　he　addressed　them。

〃You　are　all　simple　and　well…disposed　people　who　have　been　led　into　trouble　by　Meng　Huo。　I　know　your　fathers　and　mothers；　your　brothers　and　wives；　and　your　children　are　anxiously　watching　from　the　doorways　for　your　return；　and　they　are　cut　to　dear　suffering　that　the　news　of　defeat　and　capture　has　reached　their　ears。　They　are　weeping　bitter　tears　for　you。　And　so　I　will　set　you　all　free　to　go　home　and　fort　them。〃

After　they　had　been　given　food　and　wine　and　a　present　of　grain；　he　sent　them　all　away。　They　went　off　grateful　for　the　kindness　shown　them；　and　they　wept　as