第114部分(第1/7 页)
Lu Su went to see the suffering officer and then called on Zhuge Liang in his boat。
Lu Su related the story of the beating and said; 〃Though the other officers have been cowed into silence; I think thought you; Sir; might have interceded。 You are a guest and not under Zhou Yu's orders。 Why did you stand by with your hands up your sleeves and say never a word?〃
〃You insult me;〃 said Zhuge Liang smiling。
〃Why do you say that? I have never insulted you: Never since the day we came here together。〃
〃Do you not know that terrible beating was but a ruse? How could I try to dissuade Zhou Yu?〃
Then Lu Su began to perceive; and Zhuge Liang continued; saying; 〃Cao Cao would not be taken in unless there was some real bodily suffering。 Zhou Yu is going to send Huang Gai over as a deserter; and Zhou Yu will see to it that the two Cao Cao's spies duly tell the tale。 But when you see the General; you must not tell him that I saw through the ruse。 You say that I am very angry like the others。〃
Lu Su went to see Zhou Yu and asked; 〃Why have you so cruelly beaten a proved and trusty officer?〃
〃Do the officers resent it?〃 asked Zhou Yu。
〃They are all upset about it。〃
〃And what does your friend think?〃
〃Zhuge Liang also resents it in his heart; and he thinks you have made a mistake。〃
〃Then I have deceived him for once;〃 said Zhou Yu gleefully。
〃What mean you?〃 cried Lu Su。
〃That beating that Huang Gai got is part of my ruse。 I am sending him to Cao Cao as a deserter; and so I have supplied a reason for desertion。 Then I am going to use fire against the enemy。〃
Lu Su kept silence; but he recognized that Zhuge Liang was again right。
Meanwhile Huang Gai lay in his tent; whither all his