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eng Huo declared peace； the joy spread to all ravines and villages。 And the people sent gifts of jewels； cinnabar； lacquer； medicines； plowing cattle； and chargers for the use of the army。 And they pledged themselves not to rebel。
When the feastings to the soldiers were finished； the army marched homeward to Shu。 Wei Yan was in mand of the advanced column。 He marched to the River Lu。 But on his arrival the clouds gathered and a gale blew over the face of the waters。 Because of the force of the gale； the army could not advance。 Wei Yan then returned and reported the matter to his chief。 Zhuge Liang called in Meng Huo to ask what this might mean。
The Mangs beyond the border have yielded now at last；
The water demons raging mad won't let the Shu men go past。
The next chapter will contain Meng Huo's explanation。
Main Next to Chapter 91 》》
Romance of Three Kingdoms … by Luo Guanzhong … Chapter 91
Chapter 91
Sacrificing At River Lu； The Prime Minister Marches Homeward；
Attacking Wei； The Lord Of Wuxiang Presents A Memorial。
Meng Huo at the head of the Mang Chieftains and Notables attended to do honor to the army of Shu on its departure。 They reached the River Lu in autumn； the ninth month。 But on trying to cross the river； a tremendous storm came and hindered them。 Wei Yan having reported his difficulty to Zhuge Liang； Meng Huo was asked if he knew of any reason for such a storm。
Meng Huo replied； 〃Wild spirits have always troubled those who would cross this river。 It is necessary to propitiate them with sacrifices。〃
〃What is the sacrifice？〃 asked Zhuge Liang。
〃In the old days when malicious spirits brought misfortune； they sacrificed humans to the number of seven sevens and offered their forty…nine heads。 They also slew a black ox and a white goat。 Sacrifice thus； the wind will subside and the waters e to rest。 The same used to be done to secure a plenteous harvest。〃
〃How can I slay a single person now that fighting is done and peace has returned？〃 said Zhuge Liang。
Zhuge Liang went down to the river to see for himself。 The north wind was blowing hard； and the waves were high。 Both humans and horses seemed frightened。 He himself was perplexed。 Then he sought out some of the natives and questioned them。
They said； 〃We have heard the demons moaning every night since your army crossed the river。 The cries begin at dusk and continued till dawn。 There are many dark demons in the malarial vapors； and no one dared cross。〃
〃The sin is mine；〃 sighed Zhuge Liang； 〃for more than a thousand soldiers of Ma Dai perished in these waters beside many southern people。 Their poor distressed souls are not yet freed。 Therefore I will e this night and sacrifice to them。〃
〃According to the ancient rule the number of victims ought to be forty…nine。 Then the spirits will disperse；〃 said the natives。
〃As the resentful demons are here because of the deaths of people； where is the sense in slaying more humans？ But I know what to do。〃
Zhuge Liang bade them make balls of flour paste after the manner of human heads and stuff them with the flesh of oxen and goats。 These would be used instead of human heads； and they called these 'mantou' or 'human heads'。
By nightfall； an altar had been set up on the bank of the river with the sacrificial objects all arranged。 There were also forty…nine lamps。 Flags were flying to summon the souls。 The forty…nine mantous were piled up on the ground。 In the middle of the third watch； at midnight； Zhuge Liang； dressed in Taoist garb； went to offer the sacrifice in person； and he bade Dong Jue read this prayer：
〃On the first day of the ninth month of the third year of the era Beginning Prosperity of the Han Dynasty； I； Zhuge Liang； Prime Minister of Han； Lord of Wuxiang； Imperial Protector of Yizhou； reverently order this sacrifice to appease the shades of those soldiers of Shu who have died in their country's service and those of the southern people who have perished。
＇e＇ Five Feudatories： Duke Huan of Qi； Duke Wen of Jin； Duke Xiang of Song； Duke Mu of Qin； and King Chang of Chu。
＇e＇ King Yu； founder of Xia； King Tang； founder of Shang； King Wen； founder of Zhou。
＇e＇ Nine Regions symbolized all the lands of the empire。 Ancient China was divided into nine regions。 But over the time； more regions were created。 During the Three Kingdoms period； there were already more than nine regions。
〃I now declare to you； O ye shades； the majesty of my master； the Emperor of the mighty Han Dynasty； excelling that of the Five Feudatories* and brilliantly continuing the glory of the Three Dynastic Kings*。 Recently； when the distant south rebelliously invaded his territory； contumeliously sent an army； loosed the venom of their sorcery； and gave free rein to their savagery in rebellion； I was manded to punish their crimes。 Wherefore my brave armies marched and utterly destroyed the contemptible rebels。 My brave soldiers gathered like the clouds； and the insensate rebels melted away。 Hearing of the easy successes I won； they were entirely demoralized。
〃My army consists of heroes from the Nine Regions*； and officers and people are famous in the empire； all are expert in war and skilled in the use of arms。 They go whither light leads them and serve the Emperor。 All have exerted themselves to obey orders and carried out the plans for the seven captures of Meng Huo。 They were whole…hearted in their service and vied in loyalty。 Who could foresee that you； O Spirits； would be sacrificed in the strategy and be involved in the enemies' wicked wiles？ Some of you went down to the deep springs wounded by flying arrows。 Others went out into the long night hurt by lethal weapons。 Living you were valorous； dead you left behind a name。
〃Now we are returning home。 The victors' song is in our mouths and our prisoners acpany us。 Your spirits are with us still and certainly hear our prayers。 Follow the banners； e with the host； return to your country； each to his own village； where you may enjoy the savor of the meat offerings and receive the sacrifices of your own families。 Do not bee wandering ghosts in unfamiliar hamlets of restless shades in strange cities。 I will memorialize our Emperor that your wives and little ones may enjoy his gracious bounty； every year gifts of food and clothing； every month donations for sustenance。 fort yourselves with this provision。
〃As for you； Spirits of this place； shades of the departed people of the south； here is the usual sacrifice。 You are near home。 Year…round sacrifice is not lacking。 Living you stood in awe of the celestial majesty； dead you e within the sphere of refining influence。 It is right that you should hold your peace and refrain from uttering unseemly cries。 With bowed head I pray you partake of the sweet savor of this sacrifice。
〃Alas； ye dead！ To you this offering！〃
Zhuge Liang broke into loud lamentations at the end of this prayer and manifested extreme emotion； and the whole army shed tears。 Meng Huo and his followers also moaned and wept； and amid the sad clouds and angry mists they saw the vague forms of many demons floating away on the wind till they disappeared。
The material portion of the sacrifice was then thrown into the river。 Next day the army stood on the south bank with a clear sky over their heads and calm waters at their feet； the clouds gone and the winds hushed； and the crossing was made without misadventure。 They continued their way； whips cracking； gongs clanging； spurs jingling； and ever and anon the song of victory rising over all。
Passing through Yongchang； Wang Kang and Lu Kai were left there in mand of the four territories………Yizhou； Yongchang； Zangge； and Yuesui。 And then Meng Huo was permitted to leave。 He was ordered to be diligent in his administration； maintain good control； and soothe and care for the people left to him to govern and to see to it that agriculture was promoted。 He took leave with tears rolling down his cheeks。
When the army neared Capital Chengdu； the Latter Ruler came out ten miles in state to wele his victorious minister。 The Emperor stood by the roadside as Zhuge Liang came up； and waited。
Zhuge Liang quickly descended from his chariot； prostrated himself and said； 〃Thy servant has offended in causing his master anxiety。 But the conquest of the south was long。〃
The Emperor took Zhuge Liang kindly by the hand and raised him。 Then the chariots of the Son of God and his minister returned to Chengdu side by side。 In the capital were great rejoicings with banquets and rewards for the army。 Henceforward distant nations sent tribute to the Imperial Court to the number of two hundred。
As proposed in a memorial； the Emperor provided for the families of the soldiers who had lost their lives in the expedition； and they were made happy。 And the whole land enjoyed tranquillity。
＇e＇ Lady Zhen； a famous lady in the North of Yellow River （Hebei）； wife to Yuan Xi； son of Yuan Shao。 When Yuan Shao was defeated by Cao Cao； both Cao Cao's sons Cao Pi and Cao Zhi claimed her； not to mention Cao Cao himself。 Cao Pi eventually won her hand； wedded her； and made her an empress。 She later became the Goddess of River Luo； according to folktales。 。。。。。
Meanwhile in the Middle Land； the Ruler of Wei； Cao Pi； had now ruled seven years； and it was the fou