第125部分(第2/7 页)

s　not　deceiving。〃

Wherefore　Xing　Darong　was　set　free　and　went　back　to　camp；　where　he　related　all　that　had　occurred。

〃What　can　we　do？〃　asked　Liu　Xiang。

〃We　can　meet　trick　with　trick。　Put　soldiers　in　ambush　tonight　outside　our　camp　while　within　everything　will　appear　as　usual。　When　Zhuge　Liang　es　we　shall　capture　him。〃

The　ambush　was　prepared。　At　the　second　watch　an　army　came　out　of　the　darkness　and　appeared　in　the　gate。　Each　carried　a　torch　and　they　began　to　set　fire　to　all　about　them。　Out　dashed　Liu　Xiang　and　Xing　Darong；　and　the　incendiaries　forthwith　fled。　The　two　warriors　pursued　them；　but　the　fugitives　ran　and　then　suddenly　disappeared　at　about　three　miles　from　the　camp。

Much　surprised　the　two　turned　to　wend　their　way　back　to　their　own　camp。　It　was　still　burning　for　no　one　had　extinguished　the　flames。　Soon　from　behind　them　came　out　Zhang　Fei。

Liu　Xiang　called　out　to　his　panion；　saying；　〃Do　not　enter　the　burning　camp；　but　to　go　to　attack　Zhuge　Liang's　stockade。〃

Thereupon　they　turned　again；　but　at　a　distance　of　three　miles　Zhao　Yun　and　an　army　suddenly　debouched　upon　their　road。　Zhao　Yun　attacked　and　slew　Xing　Darong　by　a　spear　thrust。　Liu　Xiang　turned　to　flee；　but　Zhang　Fei　was　close　upon　him　and　made　him　prisoner。　He　was　thrown　across　a　horse；　bound；　and　taken　to　camp。

When　he　saw　Zhuge　Liang；　Liu　Xiang　said；　〃The　ruse　was　Xing　Darong's　evil　counsel。　I　was　forced　to　follow。〃

Zhuge　Liang　ordered　them　to　loose　his　bonds；　had　him　properly　dressed；　and　gave　him　wine　to　cheer　him　and　help　him　forget　his　troubles。　When　he　was　recovered；　he　was　told　to　go　to　his　father　and　persuade　him　to　yield。

〃And　if　he　does　not；　the　city　shall　be　destroyed　and　everyone　put　to　death；〃　said　Zhuge　Liang　as　Liu　Xiang　le