按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
man。
Sun Ce thus marched his army to the South Land； and his enemies fled or surrendered before his force。 He had now several legions and the southeast of the Great River was his。 He improved the conditions of the people and maintained order so that his adherents and supporters daily increased。 He was called Sun Ce the Bright。
When Sun Ce's army approached； the people used to flee in terror； but when it had arrived and they saw that no one was permitted to loot and not the least attempt was made on their houses； they rejoiced and presented the soldiers with oxen and wine； for which they were in turn duly rewarded。 Gladness filled the country side。 The soldiers who had followed Liu Yao were kindly treated。 Those who wished to join Sun Ce's army did so； those who preferred not to be soldiers were sent home with presents。 And thus Sun Ce won the respect and praise of everyone and became very powerful。
Sun Ce then settled his mother and the remainder of the family in Que； setting his brother； Sun Quan； and Zhou Tai over the city of Xuancheng。 Then he headed an expedition to the south to reduce Wujun。
＇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。 。。。。。
At that time there was a certain Yan Baihu； or the White Tiger； who styled himself King of East Wu* and ruled over Wujun。 His armies stationed at Wucheng and Jiaxing。 Hearing of Sun Ce's approach； Yan Baihu sent his brother； Yan Yu； with an army against Sun Ce； and they met at Maple Bridge。
Yan Yu； sword in hand； took his stand on the bridge； and this was reported to Sun Ce； who prepared to accept the challenge。
Zhang Hong tried to dissuade him； saying； 〃For as much as my lord's fate is bound up with that of the army； he should not risk a conflict with a mere robber。 I wish that you should remember your own value。〃
〃Your words； O Wise One； are as gold and precious stones； but I fear that my soldiers will not carry out my mands unless I myself share their dangers。〃
However； Sun Ce sent forth Han Dang to take up the challenge。 Just as Han Dang reached the bridge； Jiang Qin and Chen Wu； who had dropped down the river in a small boat； passed under the bridge。 Though the arrows fell in clouds on the bank； the two men rushed up and fiercely attacked Yan Yu as he stood on the bridge。 Yan Yu fled and Han Dang went in pursuit。 But Yan Yu smote up to the west gate of the city into which he entered。
Sun Ce laid siege to Wujun both by land and water。 For three days no one came out to offer battle。 Then at the head of his army； Sun Ce came to the west gate and summoned the warden。 An officer of inconsiderable rank came out and stood with one hand resting on a beam while with the other he gave point to his abuse of those below。 Quickly Taishi Ci's hands sought his bow and an arrow was on the string。
〃See me hit that fellow's hand；〃 said he； turning to his panions。
Even as the sound of his voice died away； the bowstring twanged； the arrow sped and lodged in the beam； firmly pinning thereto the officer's hand。 Both sides； those on the wall and those below it； marveled and acclaimed at such marksmanship。
The wounded man was taken away。
When Yan Baihu the White Tiger heard of the exploit； he said； 〃How can we hope to withstand an army with such leaders as this in it？〃
And his thoughts turned toward a peace。 He sent his brother Yan Yu out to see Sun Ce； who received him civilly； invited him into the tent； and set wine before him。
〃And what does your brother propose？〃 said Sun Ce。
〃He is willing to share this region with you；〃 was the reply。
〃The rat！ How dare he put himself on a level with me？〃 cried Sun Ce。
Sun Ce manded to put the messenger to death。 Yan Yu started up and drew his sword； but out flew Sun Ce's blade； and the unhappy messenger fell to the ground。 His head was hacked off and sent into the city to his brother。
This had its effect。 Yan Baihu saw resistance was hopeless； so he abandoned Wujun and fled。 Sun Ce pressed the attack。 Huang Gai captured Jiaxing； and Taishi Ci took Wucheng。 Several other southern cities were fallen。 The territory was quickly subdued。 Yan Baihu rushed off toward Yuhang in the east； plundering on all sides； till a band of villagers under the leadership of one Ling Cao checked his career of robbery there。 Yan Baihu then fled toward Kuaiji。
Ling Cao and his son then went to meet Sun Ce； who took them into his service； and appointed them manders as a reward for their service； and the joint forces crossed the Great River。
The White Tiger； Yan Baihu； gathered his scattered forces and took up a position at Western Ford； but Cheng Pu attacked him there and scattered the defenders； chasing them as far as Kuaiji。 The Governor of the place； Wang Lang； was on Yan Baihu's side and inclined to support him actively。
But； when Wang Lang proposed this； one of his officers stood forth； saying； 〃No！ No！ Sun Ce as a leader is humane and upright； while the White Tiger is a savage ruffian。 Rather capture him and offer his person as a peace offering to Sun Ce。〃
The Governor turned angrily toward the speaker； who was an official named Yu Fan from Kuaiji； and bade him be silent。 Yu Fan withdrew sighing deeply。 And the Governor went to the help of the White Tiger with whom he joined forces at Shanyin。
Sun Ce came up。 When both sides were arrayed； Sun Ce rode out and addressed Wang Lang； saying； 〃Mine is an army of good soldiers； and my aim is to restore peace to this region； but you give your support to a rebel！〃
Wang Lang replied； 〃Your greed is insatiable。 Having got possession of Wujun； you want also my territory。 I shall revenge for the Yans！〃
This response greatly angered Sun Ce。 Just as battle was to be joined； Taishi Ci advanced and Wang Lang came toward him waving a sword。 Before they had exchanged many passes； Zhou Xin dashed out to help Wang Lang。 Thereupon Huang Gai rode out to make the sides more equal。 These latter two were just engaging when the drums rolled on both sides； and a general battle began。
Suddenly confusion was caused in the rear of Wang Lang's army by the sudden onslaught of a small army。 Wang Lang galloped off to see the attackers were Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu。 Then an attack was made on his flank； so that he was in a hopeless position； and he and Yan Baihu and Zhou Xin； fighting desperately to cut an alley out； only just managed to reach the shelter of the city。 The drawbridges were raised； the gates closed； and preparations made to sustain a siege。
Sun Ce followed right up to the walls and then divided his troops so as to attack all four gates。 Seeing that the city was being fiercely attacked； Wang Lang was for making a sortie； but Yan Baihu opposed this as hopeless against so strong a force outside。
〃We can only strengthen our position and remain behind the shelter of the ramparts until hunger forces the besiegers to retire；〃 said Yan Baihu。
Wang Lang agreed； and the siege went on。 For several days a vigorous attack was maintained； but with little success。
In a council； Sun Jing； who was the uncle of Sun Ce； said； 〃Since they are holding the city with such resolution； it will be difficult to dislodge them。 But the bulk of their supplies is stored at Chadu； distant only some ten miles。 Our best plan is to seize this place； thus attacking where the enemy is unprepared； and doing what they do not expect。〃
Sun Ce approved； saying； 〃My uncle's plan is admirable and will crush the rebels。〃
So he issued orders to kindle watch fires at all the gates； and leave the flags standing to maintain the appearance of soldiers in position while the expedition went south。
Zhou Yu came to utter a warning； 〃When you； my lord； go away； the besieged will surely e out and follow you。 We might prepare a surprise for them。〃
Sun Ce replied； 〃My preparations are plete； and the city will be captured tonight。〃
So the army set out。 Wang Lang heard that the besiegers had gone； and he went up to the tower to reconnoiter。 He saw the fires blazing； the smoke rising； and the pennons fluttering in the breeze as usual and hesitated。
Zhou Xin said； 〃He has gone and this is only a strategy。 Let us go out and smite them。〃
Yan Baihu said； 〃If he has gone； it is to attack Chadu。 Let us pursue。〃
〃The place is our base of supply；〃 said Wang Lang； 〃and must be defended。 You two lead the way； and I will follow with reserves。〃
So Yan Baihu and Zhou Xin went forth with five thousand soldiers and drew near their enemy about the first watch； at seven miles from the city。 The road led through dense forest。 Then suddenly the drums beat and lighted torches sprang up on all sides。 Yan Baihu was frightened； turned his horse and started to retreat。 At once a leader appeared in front in whom； by the glare of the torches； he recognized Sun Ce。 Zhou Xin made a rush at him but fell under Sun Ce's spear。 The men surrendered。 However； Yan Baihu managed to cut his way out and fled to Yuhang。
Wang Lang soon heard of the loss and； not daring to return to the city； fled in all haste to the coastal regions。 And so Sun Ce got possession of the city of Kuaiji。
Having restored order； a few days later a man came bringing the head of the White Tiger as