第117部分(第3/7 页)

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All　being　ready；　the　squadron　drums　beat　the　roll　thrice；　and　the　ships　sailed　out　under　a　strong　northwest　wind　on　a　trial　cruise。　When　they　got　among　the　waves；　they　were　found　to　be　as　steady　and　immovable　as　the　dry　land　itself。　The　northern　soldiers　showed　their　delight　at　the　absence　of　motion　by　capering　and　flourishing　their　weapons。　The　ships　moved　on；　the　squadrons　keeping　quite　distinct。　Fifty　light　cruisers　sailed　to　and　fro　keeping　order　and　urging　progress。

Cao　Cao　watched　his　navy　from　the　mand　Terrace　and　was　delighted　with　their　evolutions　and　maneuvers。　Surely　this　meant　plete　victory。　He　ordered　the　recall　and　the　squadrons　returned　in　perfect　order　to　their　base。

Then　Cao　Cao　went　to　his　tent　and　summoned　his　advisers。

He　said；　〃If　Heaven　had　not　been　on　my　side；　should　I　have　got　this　excellent　plan　from　the　Young　Phoenix？　Now　that　the　ships　are　attached　firmly　to　each　other；　one　may　traverse　the　river　as　easily　as　walking　on　firm　earth。〃

〃The　ships　are　firmly　attached　to　each　other；〃　said　Cheng　Yu；　〃but　you　should　be　prepared　for　an　attack　by　fire　so　that　they　can　scatter　to　avoid　it。〃

The　General　laughed。

〃You　look　a　long　way　ahead；〃　said　he；　〃but　you　see　what　cannot　happen。〃

〃Cheng　Yu　speaks　much　to　the　point；〃　said　Xun　You。　〃Why　do　you　laugh　at　him？〃

Cao　Cao　said；　〃Anyone　using　fire　depends　upon　the　wind。　This　is　now　winter　and　only　west　winds　blow。　You　will　get　neither　east　nor　south　winds。　I　am　on　the　northwest；　and　the　enemy　is　on　the　southeast　bank。　If　they　use　fire；　they　will　destroy　themselves。　I　have　nothing　to　fear。　If　it　was　the　tenth　moon；　or　early　spring；　I　would　provide　against　fire。〃

〃The　Prime　Minister　is　indeed　wise；〃　said　the　others　in　chorus。　〃None　can　equal