第34部分(第6/7 页)

ials　all　followed。　When　they　had　traveled　a　few　stages　they　saw　before　them　a　high　mound　and　from　behind　this　there　arose　the　beating　of　drums。

Then　Yang　Feng　and　Han　Xian　came　out　and　barred　the　way。　In　front　of　all　stood　Xu　Huang；　who　shouted；　〃Cao　Cao　is　stealing　away　the　Emperor！〃

Cao　Cao　rode　out　and　took　a　good　look　at　this　man。　He　seemed　a　fine　fellow；　and　in　his　secret　soul　Cao　Cao　greatly　admired　him；　although　he　was　an　enemy。　Then　Cao　Cao　ordered　Xu　Chu　to　go　and　fight　Xu　Huang。　The　bat　was　battle…ax　against　broadsword；　and　the　two　men　fought　more　than　half　a　hundred　bouts　without　advantage　to　either　side。　Cao　Cao　then　beat　the　gongs　and　drew　off　his　troops。

In　the　camp　a　council　was　called。　Cao　Cao　said；　〃The　two　rebels　themselves　need　not　be　discussed；　but　Xu　Huang　is　a　fine　general；　and　I　was　unwilling　to　use　any　great　force　against　him。　I　want　to　win　him　over　to　our　side。〃

Then　stepped　out　Man　Chong；　replying；　〃Do　not　let　that　trouble　you。　I　will　have　a　word　with　him。　I　shall　disguise　myself　as　a　soldier　this　evening　and　steal　over　to　the　enemy's　camp　to　talk　to　him。　I　shall　incline　his　heart　toward　you。〃

That　night　Man　Chong；　duly　disguised；　got　over　to　the　other　side　and　made　his　way　to　the　tent　of　Xu　Huang；　who　sat　there　by　the　light　of　a　candle。　Xu　Huang　was　still　wearing　his　coat　of　mail。

Suddenly　Man　Chong　ran　out　in　front　and　saluted；　saying；　〃You　have　been　well　since　we　parted；　old　friend？〃

Xu　Huang　jumped　up　in　surprise；　gazed　into　the　face　of　the　speaker　a　long　time；　and　presently　said；　〃What！　You　are　Man　Chong　of　Shanyang？　What　are　you　doing　here？〃

〃I　am　an　officer　in　General　Cao　Cao's　army。　Seeing　my　old　friend　out　in　front　of　the　army　today；　I　wanted　to　say　a　word　to　him。　So　I　took　the　ri