第46部分(第1/7 页)

im　in　his　mand　as　the　defense　of　Runan　against　Liu　Biao　and　Zhang　Xiu。　Then　Li　Tong　expressed　his　thanks　and　took　his　leave。

＇e＇　Wu　was　a　state　in　the　Spring　and　Autumn　period。　Located　southeast　in　the　Great　River　Plain　（the　South　Land）。　Became　dominant　in　BC　506；　when　her　army　defeated　Chu　under　the　leadership　of　Wu　Qi。　。。。。。

On　his　return　to　the　capital；　Cao　Cao　presented　a　memorial　on　the　good　services　rendered　by　Sun　Ce；　and　the　Emperor　made　him　Lord　of　Wu*　with　the　title　General　Who　Destroys　Rebels。　The　messenger　bearing　the　decree　bore　also　the　order　to　repress　Liu　Biao。

Cao　Cao　went　to　his　palace　and　there　received　the　ceremonial　calls　of　congratulation。　These　finished；　Xun　Yu　asked；　saying；　〃You；　Sir；　marched　very　leisurely　to　Anzhong：　How　came　it　that　you　felt　certain　of　victory？〃

Cao　Cao　replied；　〃My　soldiers；　who　retire　and　find　their　retreat　cut　off；　fight　vigorously　and　desperately。　I　retired　slowly　to　entice　the　enemy　into　following　whereby　I　could　do　as　I　wished　with　them。　Basing　my　movements　on　these　considerations　I　felt　secure。〃

Xun　Yu　bowed　his　head　in　admiration。

When　Guo　Jia　entered；　Cao　Cao　said；　〃Why　so　late；　Sir？〃

The　visitor　drew　a　letter　from　his　sleeve；　saying　to　his　master；　〃Yuan　Shao　sends　this　expressing　he　desires　to　send　an　army　to　attack　Gongsun　Zan　and　wishes　you　to　lend　provisions　and　troops。〃

〃I　heard　Yuan　Shao　was　going　to　attack　Xuchang。　I　suppose　my　return　has　made　him　change　his　intention；〃　said　Cao　Cao。

Then　he　opened　the　letter　and　read　it。　It　was　couched　in　very　arrogant　terms。

〃Yuan　Shao　is　so　exceedingly　rude　that　I　will　attack　him；〃　said　Cao　Cao。　〃Only　I　think　I　am　not　quite　strong　enough。　What　should　be　done？〃

Guo　Jia　said；　〃My　lord；　you　know　w